Forecast sees Santa riding in on clear skies

It looks as though most Kiwis will need sunhats and shades this Christmas Day.

Weatherwatch.co.nz is predicting a minimum 20C for everywhere around the country, with the West Coast and Southland being the coolest and likely the wettest.

The eastern parts of both islands will be heating up and highs in the late 20s, possibly up to 30C, can be expected. Most other places will be warm, too, in the mid to late 20s.

MetService is picking a balmy 25C and mainly fine for Auckland and Whangarei. Cloudy Hamilton is tipped to go one better to 26C while Tauranga will be mostly fine and 23C.

Further south, Wellingtonians are likely to enjoy a fine morning and 22C before the odd shower in the afternoon and evening.

It will be a scorcher in Christchurch with the mercury expected to hit 31C on a cloudy Christmas Day.

Weatherwatch.co.nz said cloud was expected to build up around the North Island in the afternoon which could produce some isolated downpours through inland areas.

The wettest spots would be Fiordland and the West Coast with a chance of heavy falls in those areas.

There could also be showers or patches of rain for Southland and parts of Otago later in the day.

The driest area looks to be around Nelson-Marlborough.

MetService meteorologist Ciaran Doolin said between today and Christmas, the country sees a settled spell of weather.

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

“As it happens, Christmas Day is looking very similar to this.

“This will come as a relief to North Islanders, who will see plenty of fine spells and stay dry for the most part.”