Murchison baked in summer heat which topped 29 degrees Celsius yesterday, and it was shaping up to do the same today.

Rivers Cafe and Restaurant owner Jude Alfeld, who has lived in Murchison for more than 20 years, said summer was shaping up to be back to normal, helped by a recent influx of tourists.

"We've had it this hot for the last three days and it'll be like it again today.

"When I got in my car last night at around 5.30pm, it was still 29C," she said.

There might be some respite from the dry weather over the next couple of days as drizzle and cloud is forecast for Christmas Day in parts of Nelson.

Nelson forecaster John Mathieson, of Nelson Weather Service, said the only element of tropical weather associated with the "decaying system" that was Cyclone Evan, is moist humid air towards land about the far north and northeast sectors of the North Island today.

Christmas Day in Nelson will see partial sun and cloud patches intermingle at times with mostly dry weather about the south and east of the region.

There is a risk of isolated showers or drizzle about the far west and northwest corners of Golden Bay later.

Humid north to northeast breezes are expected.

Boxing Day will be cloudy at times, with a threat for drizzle patches morning and night, with mild to warm and quite humid conditions, Mr Mathieson said.

- © Fairfax NZ News