Aussie air bringing warmth

South Islanders living inland are in for a warm couple of days before Labour Weekend.

Weather research organisation Niwa is forecasting temperatures ‘‘well into the 20s’’ for central parts of Otago and Southland tomorrow and Friday, saying records could be broken.

Friday will bring ‘‘above average’’ temperatures further north to inland North Canterbury, Tasman and Marlborough.

Niwa said the higher temperatures would be caused by warm air from Australia being steered across the Tasman Sea by large areas of high pressure.

‘‘There is a chance that the country will observe its first 30 degree [Celsius] temperature of the spring, which would be the first 30 degree temperature since April,’’ Niwa forecaster Ben Noll said.

Current record maximum temperatures across these regions are in the mid or upper 20s, depending on location.

Maximum temperatures could be as high as 15 degrees above average across inland Otago, Southland and Canterbury, Niwa said. Average maximum October temperatures in these areas are in the mid-teens.

MetService was slightly more cautious, forecasting highs tomorrow of 27C for Twizel and Omarama, and 26C for Wanaka and Alexandra. As the air moves north, Friday is expected to bring a more temperate 24C to Culverden and Waipara, and 23C to Methven, Ashburton and Timaru.

Christchurch weather is expected to be pleasant but not as warm, with respective highs of 19C and 20C forecast by MetService for tomorrow and Friday.

Labour Weekend is expected to bring a return to spring’s usual changeable weather with temperatures in the mid to high teens and light rain in some places.