Santa picks his sunny spots

Santa is sending a sunny Christmas Day – but only to the North Island.
NIWA forecaster Seth Carrier says sadly southerners will be dodging the rain next Monday as a front works its way up the island.

“In the lead-up to Christmas, it looks like the weather will mostly cooperate for last-minute gift buying and outdoor activities,” Mr Carrier said.
“However, a front will bring a few showers and a brief cool-down to the South Islandtomorrow and head north on Wednesday, followed by a second round of showers in the South Island on Thursday.

“But from then on until Christmas it’s looking mostly dry apart from the odd nuisance shower. Temperatures will bounce back to well-above-average levels nearly everywhere too, with the exception of the lower South Island.

“Unfortunately, a new front looks set to make its presence felt in the south on the 25th.”

Christmas Day in the main centres

Auckland: Partly sunny. Maximum temperature 24.
Tauranga: Mostly cloudy. Max 23.
Hamilton: Mostly cloudy with a couple afternoon showers possible. Max 23.
Wellington: Partly sunny and breezy. Chance of a passing shower. Max 20.
Christchurch: Increasing cloud with a chance for evening showers. Windy and warm. Max 27.
Dunedin: Breezy with rain developing. Early max near 22, then falling into the teens during the afternoon.
Whangarei: Partly sunny. Max 25.
Napier: Partly sunny and warm with a slight chance of a shower. Max 26.
New Plymouth: Mostly cloudy with isolated showers possible. Max 21.
Nelson: Increasing cloud with showers developing late. Max 25.
Greymouth: Rain, may be heavy at times. Max 20.
Invercargill: Windy with rain tapering to showers. Temperature falling from near 18 to 15 during the afternoon.

Northern beaches beckon
Thinking of heading to the beach on the big day?
Mr Carrier says sea temperatures remain well above average around New Zealand, with low 20s found in the upper North Island. Combined with dry weather, beaches from the Coromandel Peninsula north to Cape Reinga will be ideal for a holiday splash.

Boxing Day and beyond
The same nuisance front affecting the South Island on Christmas Day looks like it will continue its trek up the country on Boxing Day.

“This may leave parts of the upper South Island and western and northern North Island warm, wet, and humid, while the mid and lower South Island turns drier and cooler,” Mr Carrier says.

“It’s a little uncertain how quickly this weather-maker will depart around the 27th, but at this stage we expect things to turn better during the final days of the year as high pressure once again asserts its dominance.

“Temperatures on the 27th may be near or slightly below average, but gradually warm to above average from the 28th to the 31st.”

Peeking into 2018

Heading into the New Year, the high may give way to a front advancing into the Tasman Sea, allowing rain to streak onto the western South Island first and then eventually into the North Island during the first few days of 2018.

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