- Gisborne is forecast to have the best weather on Christmas Day, however severe gales are on their way.
- A low system will bring rain to the West Coast and eastern South Island by midday.
- The North Island will be mostly fine, with evening showers expected in Northland and possibly Auckland.
Kiwis on the North Island’s East Coast have been told to make the most of the good weather today because Boxing Day is forecast to be “a little less festive”.
MetService has issued an orange heavy rain warning for Hawke’s Bay, north of Napier, from 7am on Boxing Day until 1pm on Friday.
Up to 130mm of rain is forecast, especially in the ranges.
The area is currently experiencing warm and fine conditions.
Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management Group posted on social media: “Sorry to be the Christmas grinch.”
“Make the most of the beautiful weather today because Boxing Day through to Friday is looking a little less festive.”
A strong wind watch for coastal areas of Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne Tairāwhiti has been issued from 1pm on Friday until the early hours of Saturday morning.
Southwest winds may approach severe gales in exposed places, MetService has warned.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) said people travelling over the holiday period must be prepared for challenging driving conditions and take precautions.
“Heavy rain increases the risk of slips and flooding, and strong winds mean drivers of high-sided and towing vehicles, and motorcycles must take extra care in exposed areas.
“Be ready for unexpected hazards and be aware that bad weather can see roads closed at short notice.”
Which part of the country will have the best Christmas Day weather?
Many Kiwis can expect somewhat underwhelming weather this Christmas, but a MetService meteorologist has given his tips for the best spot to enjoy the festive day.
According to forecasting, Gisborne is the place to be today, with balmy temperatures.
MetService meteorologist Devlin Lynden said a low system moving towards the country over the past few days arrived on the West Coast last night and continued to move east overnight, bringing patches of rain to many parts of New Zealand.
“This morning, the West Coast of the South Island will keep getting a bit of rain from that and it will push over to eastern parts of the South Island about midday,” Lynden said.
It would take a bit longer for the system to reach the North Island and it would be a mostly fine day before showers prevail in the evening in Northland, possibly stretching down to Auckland.
“Central North Island areas, eastern North Island areas as well as Marlborough and Northern Canterbury are likely to have a reasonably okay day with some high cloud.“
Lynden said the ideal spot to be for Christmas Day was Gisborne, with a likely high of 28C.
“Personally I would love to be in Gisborne, it looks like a pretty good spot.
“Wellington is looking quite nice, kind of cloudy patches in the morning then fine breaks through the day and a bit of high cloud in the afternoon, but Wellington is unlikely to see any showers,” he said.
In the afternoon and evening, MetService is forecasting a moderate risk of thunderstorms for the central South Island.
“That’s definitely one to watch out for. They’ve been getting a few storms lately, especially that Methven, kind of inland Canterbury, area.”
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) said people travelling over the holiday period must be prepared for challenging driving conditions and take precautions.
“Heavy rain increases the risk of slips and flooding, and strong winds mean drivers of high-sided and towing vehicles, and motorcycles must take extra care in exposed areas.
“Be ready for unexpected hazards and be aware that bad weather can see roads closed at short notice.”
Christmas Day temperatures
Gisborne: High 28C, low 15C
Auckland: High 25C, low 16C
Tauranga: High 24C, low 15C
Wellington: High 21C, low 15C
Christchurch: High 23C, low 15C
Dunedin: High 20C, low 14C