Here’s what is making the weather headlines today.

Afternoon downpours & thunderstorms are hit & miss – but if one hits you it can more than triple your forecast daily rainfall total.

Being frustrated we can't forecast every single shower is like being angry you can't fly to London in 1 hour…the technology just isn't here yet!

— WeatherWatch.co.nz (@WeatherWatchNZ) December 20, 2022

WARMEST UPPER NORTH ISLAND

Temperatures are warmest for the upper North Island today reaching into the mid twenties, contrast that with the eastern South Island which continues its cool run and highs in the mid to late teens.

Temperatures for the South Island will start to bump up a notch on Thursday then again a bit more on Friday.

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SOME INSTABILITY TODAY – NORTH ISLAND

A chance of thunderstorms exists again today, mainly about the upper / western North Island. The risk isn’t as high as it was yesterday.

Tomorrow the thunderstorms risk goes up for the North Island with downpours expected for some. More on the thunderstorm risk outlook from Metservice here.

CHRISTMAS DAY – FORECAST

It is still looking mainly settled for all of New Zealand on Christmas Day. The main points at this stage are:

• Some high cloud for the upper North Island streaming out of an area of low pressure well to the north.
• Any morning cloud for the eastern South Island breaks away
• Afternoon clouds about inland hills / ranges may bring a few isolated showers, low risk of some thunder, mainly east of the main divide.
• Despite the risk of afternoon showers as mentioned above many will have a dry and mostly sunny day.
• Light winds, afternoon sea breezes for all.
• Temperatures in the low to mid twenties for most, coastal areas will generally be a bit cooler than further inland.
• Central Otago / inland Southland / inland Buller and parts of the inner North Island (Waikato) may reach into the late twenties.