Last-minute shoppers across the country scrambling to get presents under the tree should consider packing a raincoat, with heavy rain and strong winds forecast the week before Christmas.
"After a settled weekend, an active cold front has begun moving up the South Island today and approaches the North Island on Tuesday morning, bringing periods of heavy rain and strong northwesterlies, followed by a cooler unstable southwesterly flow," MetService said.
The South Island will be in the thick of it on Monday and Tuesday, particularly in western areas.
Orange heavy rain watches have been issued for the ranges of the Westland District from; and the headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers about and south of Arthur's Pass.
Heavy rain watches have been issued for Tasman District west of Tākaka, Buller District, and Richmond and Bryant ranges, including the Rai Valley.
Strong wind warnings are in place for Fiordland and the Canterbury High Country today. A strong wind watch is in place for Queenstown Lakes District, Central Otago and inland areas of Southland, Clutha and Dunedin. Following the front, large parts of the South Island will see the risk of thunderstorms and hail on Tuesday.
The front will then bear down on the North Island from midday Tuesday, bringing strong northwesterlies for exposed western areas and a period of rain for many places through the afternoon and evening.
"Looking ahead, there will certainly be a cool shift this week as that front crosses the country and we reset into a more variable, unsettled and showery weather pattern," MetService meteorologist Devlin Lynden said.
The weather will remain a mixed bag for the rest of the week as a cool south to southwesterly flow moves in behind for a dramatic shift from last week's muggy temperatures. Come Wednesday and Thursday, Lynden said many places will struggle to reach temperatures in the 20s as the southwesterlies "keep the temperatures capped".
Places such as Dannevirke, Wellington, Ashburton, Ōamaru and Invercargill are expected to top out at just 16C on Wednesday.
Lynden said it "might feel like we are headed for a 'white Christmas' for some this week, it’s worth remembering that we’re still firmly in summer".
"Christmas Day is 10 days away, and with the country settling into a more changeable pattern, the longer-range forecasts are likely to change in the lead up to the big day as the weather story becomes clearer," Lynden said.
SHARE ME