Our Christmas Day Forecast 2016

[JennyLeez]

Christmas Day is likely to be dry for most of the country, but it won't be the scorcher some are hoping for.

Most of the North Island can expect fine weather, with a few isolated showers along the west coast. Morning cloud in Wellington will become fine later in the day.

A weak trough moving up from the bottom of the South Island will bring cloudy periods and the odd shower to Dunedin and Christchurch, with western areas around Greymouth also expecting a few showers.

Queenstown and Nelson can expect sunny weather pushing up to a high of 21degC.

MetService meteorologist Ciaran Doolin says while Christmas won't be the warm day some are hoping for, it'll be mostly fine, with a few lucky spots granted extra sunshine.

"Central Otago will be warmest, with areas such as Twizel up to 26degC. It'll be nice fine weather, winds will be light.

"As far as the rest of the country goes, coastal areas are likely to see a bit of cloud and isolated showers in some places, mainly western coastal areas.

"Inland for most parts of the country will be quite a nice day," Mr Doolin says.

Other lucky spots to enjoy the sun are Whakatane and Wanaka, with both expected to push 25degC, while Paihia and Whitianga will hit a balmy 24degC.

Among the main centres, Auckland is due for a mild day, with fine and cloudy periods and a chance of a light shower. The high will be 21degC with south-westerly winds.

Wellington is slightly cooler, with a high of 18degC. A northerly wind will become a light southerly in the morning.

Christchurch has a high of 17degC, with a light southerly developing. Dunedin will see cloudy periods and southerly winds with a high of 17degC.

Newshub.

• Tweet