Hot and windy, cooling off overnight

A yellow weather warning is in place on Wednesday for high temperatures, in effect from 11am until 4pm.

The day will be sunny and windy with some low clouds at times and a chance of isolated mountain rains. Temperatures will rise to 40C in the interior, 32C on the west and southwest coasts, 34C on the remaining coasts, and 31C in the higher mountains. Winds will be mainly south-to north-westerly, initially weak to moderate, up to 4 Beaufort, and gradually strong to very strong, up to 6 Beaufort in some areas. The sea will initially be rough.

Overnight will be remain clear with increased low cloud, particularly in the west and north. In the morning hours, light mist is expected in the southeast. Temperatures will drop to 21C in the interior, 23C on the coasts, and 18C in the higher mountains. Winds will be southerly and weak, 3 Beaufort. The sea will remain slightly rough to rough.

For the rest of the week and into Saturday, increased clouds will bring a chance of isolated afternoon rains in the mountains and inland. On Thursday temperatures are expected to drop by 2C to 3C, reaching normal averages for the season.