Weather for the run up to Christmas - Thursday 21 December 2017

MetService News Release
Thursday 21 December 2017

A front moves up the South Island today, while the North Island is affected by a weak ridge of high pressure.

MetService Meteorologist Ciaran Doolin said, “As it happens, Christmas Day is looking very similar to this - a front in the south, a ridge in the north. This will come as a relief to North Islanders, who will see plenty of fine spells and stay dry for the most part. And it’s not all bad news for the South Island on Christmas Day either – the east coast from Christchurch north should stay dry until after Christmas dinner.”

Between Friday and Christmas Day, the country sees a settled spell of weather - great news for those already at the bach, on the beach or on the water.

The cold front moves up the South Island today, bringing heavy rain to the West Coast and scattered falls further east. The front moves onto the North Island tonight and northward on Friday. However, its effects on the North Island are much weaker, bringing just a brief period of rain. Meanwhile, high pressure builds over the South Island.

“The high hangs on into Saturday, bringing settled weather to much of the country. Some cloudy periods and isolated showers affect the central and northern North Island, and ranges of the South Island, but otherwise it should be a fine day,” explained Mr Doolin.

“It’s pretty much the same story on Christmas Eve, apart from some occasional rain developing in Fiordland and southern Westland, and gusty northwesterly wind strengthening over the southern South Island and Cook Strait,” he added.

On Christmas Day, the ridge of high pressure remains over the North Island, while the front over the South Island is expected to spread rain north, with heavy and possibly thundery falls on the West Coast. This front is followed by cooling southwesterlies, which will be reflected in the temperatures. The rain shouldn’t affect the east coast north of Canterbury until late evening, and temperatures are going to be toasty ahead of the front, with Christchurch forecast to reach 30 degrees.

In contrast, the North Island should stay mostly dry in the main centres, with isolated showers mainly affecting inland areas. There should be plenty of fine spells too.

On Boxing Day, the front moves onto the North Island in the morning, spreading a band of rain across the island during the course of the day. Rain continues to affect the east coast of the South Island during the day, but gradually eases.

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