Another hot day in store for most of the North Island

Slip, slop, slap and wrap - North Islanders had another hot day today.

Beaches were packed yesterday as temperatures hit the mid to late 20s.

Today was no different with many places getting highs in their 20s. Gisborne and Hawke's Bay were the hottest with temperatures of 30 to 31°C.

"Strong northwesterlies will spread as a front moves up over the South Island," MetService meteorologist Hannah Moes said.

There were particularly warm temperatures in the east of both islands, while Auckland got to 23°C once morning cloud disappears.

The south west of the North Island was the coolest part of the north, with windy patches.

Meanwhile, MetService has a severe weather watch in place for Canterbury, Otago and Southland for strong west and north west gales.

A watch is also in place for Fiordland, Westland and Buller where short periods of heavy rain are expected.

Today's active front would move over the North Island tomorrow bringing periods of rain among the fine weather.

Another front was coming on Wednesday. It would move up the South Island and be over the North Island on Thursday, bringing strong winds and periods of rain.

Friday was expected to be settled.

WeatherWatch said there is a 75 per cent chance of it being mostly dry across the country on Christmas Day this Sunday.

"While the various models we use forecast the high coming in for Christmas Day and dominating for Boxing Day there's still about a quarter of New Zealand on Christmas Day itself that may see some showers," head forecaster Phillip Duncan said.

"As the high comes in there's usually a southerly or southwesterly first and we do have that on Christmas morning by the looks of it.

"This may well bring in a few showers so some coastal areas in both islands."

Beyond Boxing Day, there was a moderate chance of a low coming in, bringing rain for a day or so.

MAIN CENTRES OUTLOOK

Whangarei:Monday: A few showers, mainly afternoon. Southerly change. High 25C.

Auckland: Monday: A few showers, mainly afternoon. Southwest change. High 22C.

Tauranga: Monday: A few showers, mainly afternoon. Southwest change. High 22C.

Hamilton: Monday: Rain for a time with southwest change. High 21C.

Wellington: Monday: Rain clearing to fine spells morning. Northerlies. High 19C.

Christchurch:Monday: Mainly fine. Northerlies for a time. High 22C.

Dunedin: Monday: Mainly fine. Northwest turning southwest. High 19C.

- Source: MetService