The weather forecast for Christmas Day is set to be “a cracker” according to forecasters at WeatherWatch.co.nz. 

Our most extensive ever national forecast shows sunny or dry weather for 90% of New Zealand’s main centres.

Head weather analyst Philip Duncan says the computer models are consistent with their message: plenty of sun and plenty of warmth.  “With a large high firmly in control over the North Island and a northerly flow affecting most centres we know it’s going to be hot and sunny in the north, windy and warm in central areas, cloudy, hot and dry in the east of the South Island and showery, windy and cold in the far south”.

Mr Duncan says the hottest regions will be eastern Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Hawkes Bay, with some inland places reaching closer to 30 degrees.

The windiest centres will be Wellington, Palmerston North, Masterton, Christchurch and Invercargill.

The coldest centre will be Invercargill with a predicted high of just 15 degrees at this stage.

The wettest weather will be mainly about Southland and perhaps coastal Otago.

“The top third of New Zealand should have a mostly sunny, warm and settled four day weekend, with windier weather in the middle section and certainly changeable conditions remaining for the bottom third”.

WeatherWatch.co.nz’s extensive official Christmas Day forecast can be found here