The countdown to Christmas is on - and while there's trouble ahead, an updated weather forecast spells mostly good news for Kiwis on the big day.
This week kicks off with windier, hotter westerlies for the lower two-thirds of the country.
MetService warns blustery northwesterly winds are blowing across southern and central New Zealand on both Monday and Tuesday, with gusts reaching as much as 140km/h today in exposed parts of the Canterbury High Country.
"Strong nor'westers are famous for raising the temperatures east of the Southern Alps through the föhn effect, and this week is another classic case," MetService meteorologist Dan Corrigan says.
"Temperatures in Canterbury are forecast to reach the mid to high 20s this Monday through Wednesday, while some spots in Hawke's Bay are looking to crack 30C."
Strong wind warnings and watches are in force, as well as heavy rain warnings and watches for the West Coast and the main divide of the Southern Alps.
Meanwhile in the North Island, a ridge of high pressure holds steady for the rest of Christmas week, bringing predominantly dry weather.
Then on Christmas Eve, a swing to southwesterly winds brings us back to more moderate temperatures for December, along with some rain for eastern South Island regions.
"The current outlook for Christmas Day is for sunny skies and light winds in most places with temperatures in the low to mid-twenties, great for enjoying the outdoors and spending time with family," Corrigan says.
"However, southerly winds are forecast to bring a few showers into eastern parts of the North Island, and a northeasterly wind is expected to pick up in Christchurch in the afternoon."
Auckland is predicted to be mainly fine on Christmas Day, with late showers, southwesterlies and a high of 24C.
Napier should also have a high of 24C without the rain - it will be partly cloudy with southeasterlies.
Palmerston North will have a high of 23C - also partly cloudy with southeasterlies - while Wellington is forecast to see 20C on a partly cloudy day.
In the South Island, Christchurch will have a fine day and a 20C high. Queenstown will have a fine day and a high of 22C, while a cloudy Invercargill will have a high of 20C.
Looking ahead to Boxing Day, MetService forecasts a front moving onto the deep south, but the forecast remains dry and settled for most of the country.
