Santa's on his way, and so is the sunshine

Kiwis will enjoy hot, sunny weather for Christmas. Photo / Mark Mitchell

The best Christmas Day weather so far this decade. That's quite a call, but I'm very confident that statement will be bang on for almost all our main centres on Christmas Day.

With a large high anchored firmly over New Zealand on Friday, both islands are in for sunny, hot, calm, weather. In fact, a nor'wester is going to kick in and if you have a sheltered spot outside then Christmas lunch with 30 degree heat and a bottle of beer or white wine will be simply magical.

Eastern areas from Dunedin to Hawkes Bay will be pushing into the late 20s and I think early 30s across inland parts of Otago, Canterbury and
Marlborough. Low to mid 20s for everyone – and I mean everyone – else.

This is what makes Christmas in New Zealand so fantastic. While I love a white Christmas in the northern hemisphere, which is certainly more
'Christmassy', I long for blue skies, hot weather, flowering pohutukawas, jandals, shorts, t-shirts and sunlight that seems to last
forever.

Last year WeatherWatch started the live Santa Tracker – it's a specially built radar system that detects Santa and his reindeer as they approach New Zealand from the North Pole on Christmas Eve. It updates every hour from 2pm to 11pm on Christmas Eve and we've fired it up already. Click here to see it. It really brings Christmas Eve to life for the kids. Not only can they watch Santa's approach but they can also send him messages... and that's my favourite part.

When I told my friends and family last year that I'd be working on Christmas Eve, making sure comments to Santa were quickly published and ensuring the radar didn't go offline, many said "poor you, having to work on Christmas Eve." I was unsure if I would enjoy it or not to be honest... as I do like the odd wine here and there and knew I wouldn't be able to have any. Well, I have to tell you, last Christmas Eve was probably the most special one I have ever had as I published dozens of messages to Santa from kids all over New Zealand.

Some were cute, some were serious, some were sad, some were downright hilarious... including kids asking Santa to ensure the reindeer don't leave any droppings on the trampoline like last year!

Check out the link and be part of the magic. I'd also like to thank nzherald.co.nz for allowing me to promote this special link.

My next blog will be in the weekend with a look ahead towards New Year's Eve. I wish you and your family an absolutely wonderful Christmas.