Christmas weather: good day to the north, southern islanders may need a backup plan

Most of the North Island has relatively good weather on Christmas Day, while some in the south with their hearts set on classic Kiwi barbecue may need a backup plan.

Meteorologist MetService said that Christmas Day in Auckland will be slightly cooler and less humid than the scorching temperatures the city has seen recently.

A good day with high clouds is at stake for Auckland with the southwest winds poised to make the big day feel cooler.

MetService meteorologist Lewis Ferris said the same stable weather is forecast for December 25 across most of the North Island.

Rain was initially forecast for Wellington on Friday, but now it looks drier with cloudy periods, light winds and northerly winds developing at night, peaking at 19 ° C, Ferris said.

“Sometimes, we should see the sun mixed with the cloud,” Ferris said.

But the story is not so good for Christmas Day in the south, he said.

“Places like Nelson and Marlborough should be on a good Christmas day, but it looks like they’re going to see some wet weather during the day and some cooler temperatures on the east coast from Christchurch to Dunedin.”

MetService meteorologist Peter Little said those in the South planning a Christmas cookout may need a backup plan.

“Although the forecast is dry for much of the country on Christmas Day, there will be some places that will receive rain or showers, especially in the south.”

“Snow is forecast up to 1000m over the South Island this weekend, and a maximum temperature of just 13 ° C is forecast for Ashburton on Saturday, which is about 8 ° C below average for this time of year.”

Niwa has touted the possibility of a “White Christmas” in the high peaks of the South Island, where temperatures are expected to drop below freezing.

Like the below-average temperatures set for Ashburton, places across the country are set to be noticeably cooler starting around Christmas, Ferris said.

Wellington is slated to drop to 14 ° C, which is about six degrees below average, while Masterton is forecast to hit 15 ° C, about 8 ° C below average.

Forecasts for Christmas Day

Whangarei Good with high clouds. Southwesterlies. 24 ° C high. 14C low.

Auckland Good spells with high clouds. The southwest winds decrease. 21C, 15C.

Hamilton Good spells with high rising clouds and southwest winds 22C, 9C.

Tauranga Good, with high rising clouds. Southwesterlies. 25C, 13C.

New Plymouth Good spells and winds from the southwest. 20C, 12C.

Rotorua Fine spells with high rising clouds. 23C, 10C.

Napier Well, heading south with high clouds rising. 25C, 14C.

Wellington Cloudy periods. Light winds, north winds developing at sunset. 19C, 12C.

Nelson Good with light winds. 22C, 11C.

ChristchurchMostly cloudy A few showers, mainly in the afternoon. South winds, turning northeast in the afternoon. 16C, 8C.

Dunedin Cloudy periods. Some showers in the afternoon as the southwest winds turn to the northeast. 16C, 8C.