The North Island is set to receive wet and miserable weather on Christmas Day.
A severe weather warning has been issued for the upper North Island from Sunday afternoon until Tuesday, eclipsing most of Christmas Day.
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MetService issued the warning at 1pm on Saturday, saying heavy rain is likely on the way from Northland down to the Coromandel.
"A Severe Weather Watch has been issued for Heavy Rain for the upper North Island for tomorrow afternoon until Tues 25th," it said on Twitter.
"There is still uncertainty, especially the timing of the heaviest rain, so keep up to date with the latest severe weather info."
Great Barrier Island is also on watch for downpours. But no other areas will be affected.
The warning is consistent with other forecasts for Christmas Day which have predicted the best weather to be in the South Island.
On Friday forecaster Richard Green said the best place to be on Christmas Day will be the Canterbury town of Ashburton.
"Nelson, Christchurch, Timaru, Dunedin. Notice I'm saying southern cities and towns? North Island [is] not so rosy at the moment," he said.
"Wellington much of the day [is] looking pretty good, Palmerston North not bad. Auckland, not so great.
"It starts off alright at the moment but then it does get a bit wet off and on, a bit showery."
Newshub.
