New Zealand’s Weather Extremes: Record Heat Hits 37.1°C in Napier While Gales Ground Wellington Flights
By Lions Roar News National Desk
NEW ZEALAND (January 11, 2026) — Aotearoa is being gripped by a weekend of wild weather extremes, as record-breaking heatwaves in the North Island contrast sharply with severe gales and flooding in the South. Napier officially hit a blistering 37.1°C this afternoon, surpassing its previous January records and making it one of the hottest days in the region’s history.
While the East Coast swelters, the lower North Island and South Island are battling dangerous winds and heavy rain that have disrupted travel and closed major highways.
🌡️ The Heat: A Record-Breaking Day
The “heat dome” over the East Coast has pushed temperatures well beyond typical summer highs.
- Napier’s Peak: At 37.1°C, Napier became the nation’s hotspot, narrowly beating Hastings, which was forecast to hit the same mark.
- National Heat Alerts: MetService has issued alerts for 12 locations, including Whangārei, Tauranga, Rotorua, Gisborne, and Christchurch.
- Vigilance Urged: Hastings Deputy Mayor Michael Fowler warned that this isn’t just a “normal” hot day. “People need to be absolutely vigilant. This exceeds the 2025 peak of 35.6°C recorded in Kawerau.”
Council Actions:
- Te Mata Park has been closed to the public to prevent heatstroke and fire risks.
- Council contractors have been ordered to stop all “hot work” (welding, mowing) that could spark a wildfire.
💨 The Gales: Flight Chaos in Wellington
As the East Coast baked, the capital was buffeted by severe northwest gales gusting up to 120km/h.
- Airport Disruptions: Several flights were cancelled at Wellington Airport. One Jetstar flight from Auckland attempted to land twice before being forced to turn back due to the dangerous conditions.
- Strong Wind Warnings: Orange-level warnings remain in place for Wellington, Wairarapa, and Marlborough.
🛣️ The Floods & Debris: Travel Impact
The South Island has faced a different set of challenges, with heavy rain and wind causing havoc on the roads.
- SH73 Closure: State Highway 73 (Canterbury to West Coast) was closed by flooding late this afternoon after earlier being partially blocked by debris.
- Fallen Trees: NZTA contractors worked throughout the day to clear fallen trees on SH6 and SH94 (Milford Road), the latter of which has since reopened.
- Heavy Rain: Orange-level rain warnings are active for Westland and Fiordland, with thunderstorms possible in Queenstown Lakes District.
