Sunny outlook on Christmas cards and there’s even more in store

AN UNBROKEN run of sunny weather could lie ahead for Wellington in the next five days – though a few Christmas showers just might spoil the pattern.

Niwa and WeatherWatch forecasts are expecting a dry spell through to Sunday in Wellington. Only a little cloud would get in the way of the sunshine warm temperatures.

But MetService remained cautious, despite a high pressure system sitting to the east of the country and warding off some of the fronts to the north and south of New Zealand. Meteorologist Nicole Ranger said the combination of the warmth of the land and the wind currents could see

and some rain develop on Christmas Day.

‘‘For Wellington, it’ll be fine spells, with just a few afternoon and evening showers in the north. That’s northern Hutt Valley, Upper Hutt areas.’’

Further north, Wairarapa and Hawke’s Bay were in for dry, warm days though a shower or two could also develop, she said. Temperatures of 20 degrees Celsius were expected for Wellington, and the high 20s in Wairarapa.

Niwa forecaster Chris Brandolino said showers could not entirely be ruled out on the festive day. ‘‘But they’ll be the exception, not the rule.’’

For those heading away, apart from some changeable spells in Northland, the central North Island and West Coast, most of the country was in for a nice run of weather, Brandolino said. ‘‘We’ve certainly had a worse holiday period.’’

MetService was also forecasting rain could pop up late on Sunday in the lower North Island, due to a front heading up from the south.

Dollars, no sense: Money the cat emerged from a chimney on a house on The Terrace in central Wellington after a two-hour rescue effort by the fire service.