KEY POINTS:
The traditional kiwi Christmas day barbecue is still on the cards this year with fine weather predicted for much of the country.
MetService spokesman Gerard Bellam said the low hanging over Northland will disappear by Christmas Eve.
It was this low that had MetService forecasters uncomfortable about making a call for the 25th yesterday.
And while a 'weather watch' is in place for parts of the North Island including Northland, the Coromandel Peninsula, eastern Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and northern Hawkes Bay, that is set to move off New Zealand over Christmas Eve.
Mr Bellam said apart from a bit of cloud, it should be fine on Christmas day in the main centres.
Auckland will be fine with a bit of cloud while Wellington is likely to be dry during the day until a southerly change at night which could bring a shower.
Mr Bellam said there could be a shower or two for the Central North Island and inland areas of the Bay of Plenty.
In the South Island, Mr Bellam said there could be the odd shower on the West Coast which may move up the east coast also.
But the holiday spots in the middle of the mainland are set for fine weather.
Mr Bellam said Wanaka, Queenstown and Hanmer are all in for some fine weather.
And the Chatham Islands? "Not so great. They'll be happy to have their boats up".
- NZHERALD STAFF
