It may have been a humid few days for many around the country this week, but temperatures are set to cool down a bit for the Christmas season.
That's due to incoming southerlies, which are expected to batter the country over the next couple of weeks.
Following warmer-than-usual temperatures recently, the drop might seem particularly cold, Weatherwatch warns.
Eighty-five percent of the country experienced hotter-than-normal temperatures in November, with near-heatwave conditions hitting some areas.
But December was set to be "unsettled", and many would need to wait until January to enjoy "true summer" weather, Weatherwatch says.
"Daytime highs in some southern coastal areas may even be struggling to reach the teens today and this working week," Weatherwatch says in a statement.
At least three strong south to south-west changes were predicted to move across the country this week, Weatherwatch meteorologists say.
That prediction is echoed by NIWA Weather, which says the cooler temperatures could last until Christmas.
An animated model released by NIWA on Tuesday evening shows waves of the southerly winds hitting the country.
"This will be a regular occurrence over the next couple of weeks," NIWA says.
The cooler temperatures in New Zealand are in stark contrast to Australia, where bushfires continue to burn.
On Monday, Weatherwatch meteorologists said hot air from Australia "will try to head to New Zealand" but would be pushed back by south to south-west winds here.
Temperatures in Australia are forecast to hit 50C this week.
