With just one week out from Christmas, MetService has revealed the place to be on the big day for whānau firing up the barbecue or going for a dip at the beach.
At this stage, westerly winds are likely across the country, which may bring wetter conditions to the west and drier and brighter skies to the east. Maximum temperatures currently look to be sitting around the mid-20s for much of the country.
MetService meteorologist Alanna Burrows said the early look means the forecast may change in some locations, however one place stands out from the rest.
"The jigsaw for the Christmas Day weather forecast still has a few missing pieces at this stage but for those wishing for a Christmas BBQ on the beach, then I’d head to Hawke's Bay.
"It looks like the place to be."
For other parts of the country, MetService noted the weather is "quite changeable at the moment".
"It's a good idea to keep an eye on the forecast before travelling to visit whānau, any action-packed road trips or if you're heading to watch the Black Caps versus West Indies."
In the lead up to Christmas, bands of rain would move across the country today and Friday, MetService said. Yellow rain watches are in place for the Ranges of Westland, and the headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers south of Arthur's Pass.
A cool southwesterly will then follow behind, which will drop temperatures well below the average this time of year.
Dunedin was forecast to reach just 13C on Saturday – 6C below average.
The cold snap brings a "risk of snow up on the high alpine passes", Burrows said. "Even though the snow is unlikely to settle at this time of year, driving conditions may be more like winter than summer.
"So please take caution on the roads or in your camper and pack warm clothes and plenty of supplies."
A southwesterly flow will then ease over the country from Sunday, which will bring a weak ridge of high pressure and a settled spell. The spell would be short and sweet, however, with bands of rain returning from Tuesday.
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