Pack togs but keep woollies on hand

If you thought it was still October then you might be right. The temperature - more than 20 days into "summer" - is much the same as it was weeks ago.

Niwa principal climate scientist Dr Jim Salinger said December was struggling to reach normal summer temperatures usually in the high teens to early 20s.

The mercury had more often than not hovered in the early teens - temperatures normally experienced in October.

"We have been in a year that can only be described as dramatic and the drama continues," said Dr Salinger. "The temperatures we are having now are typical of the end of October."

MetService predicts a break in the bad weather that will hopefully bring periods of sunshine to most parts of the country for Christmas Day - in between the odd shower.

Further out there's a prospect of - you guessed it - rain on New Year's Eve. But, just as many people consider packing their woollies instead of togs for the holidays, Mr Salinger said there was hope on the horizon.

NIWA seasonal predictions for January and February could bring an end to the unusually cold temperatures. Mr Salinger said winds from the west and highs over the top of the North Island were expected to increase the temperatures to about average or slightly above average next month.

Last January Auckland temperatures hovered in the high teens to mid 20s.