Parts of New Zealand won't get any festive summer weather on Sunday, with a front expected to bring heavy rain and thunderstorms that will lash the West Coast and lower North Island.
But people in the rest of the country should get the sunnies and sunblock out as it's expected to be a fine day with scorching temperatures.
MetService said a "moist northwest flow" ahead of a slow-moving front over the northwest of the South Island is expected to bring periods of heavy rain.
This has seen the forecasting agency issue heavy rain warnings and watches for the West Coast and the lower North Island.
An orange heavy rain warning is in place for Buller until 5pm on Sunday with 180mm of rain expected.
MetService warns thunderstorms are possible and the rain could fall at peak rates of 30mm/h.
Westland about and north of Franz Josef Glacier is also in the firing line with a heavy rain warning issued until 4pm Sunday.
MetService said this area should expect 200mm at peak rates of 30mm/h with thunderstorms possible.
"Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous," MetService said about the areas under an orange heavy rain warning.
A heavy rain watch is also in place for Tasman west of Takaka, Nelson Lakes and Canterbury High Country north of Mount Arrowsmith until Sunday evening.
In the North Island, the only watch in place is for the Tararua Range, with MetService warning of periods of heavy rain particularly on Sunday afternoon.
But for the rest of the country, people will get a taste of the summer weather, with balmy temperatures expected.
Most places in the North Island are expected to be fine and sunny on Sunday with temperatures predicted to be in the mid-twenties, according to the MetService website.
The pick of the bunch is Gisborne with 28 degrees expected while Napier, 27C, and Whangārei, 26C, aren't far behind.
In the South Island, the place to be is the East Coast, which is expected to see a relatively fine day.
The hottest place in the country on Sunday is expected to be Christchurch, with a predicted temperature of 29 degrees but the city is likely to see some squally thunderstorms and small hail possible in the afternoon.
Most other places will see temperatures in the low twenties except for Timaru, which is expected to reach a warm 27C.
Heavy Rain Warning – Orange
Area: Buller
Period: 18hrs from 11pm Sat, 16 Dec - 5pm Sun, 17 Dec
Forecast: Expect 130 to 180 mm of rain, especially about the ranges. Peak intensities of 20 to 30 mm/hr during Sunday. Thunderstorms possible.
Area: Westland about and north of Franz Josef Glacier
Period: 15hrs from 1am - 4pm Sun, 17 Dec
Forecast: Expect 150 to 200 mm of rain about the ranges, and 50 to 80 mm near the coast. Peak rates of 20 to 30 mm/hr. Thunderstorms possible.
Heavy Rain Watch
Area: Tasman west of Takaka
Period: 21hrs from 9pm Sat, 16 Dec - 6pm Sun, 17 Dec
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria. Thunderstorms possible.
Area: The Tararua Range
Period: 27hrs from 8pm Sat, 16 Dec - 11pm Sun, 17 Dec
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria. Note: rain my ease for a time overnight Saturday and Sunday morning, but becoming heavier again late Sunday afternoon and evening.
Area: Nelson Lakes
Period: 15hrs from 2am - 5pm Sun, 17 Dec
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria. Thunderstorms possible.
Area: Canterbury High Country north of Mount Arrowsmith
Period: 14hrs from 2am - 4pm Sun, 17 Dec
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria within 15 kilometres east of the Divide. Thunderstorms possible.
