KEY POINTS:
Christmas day is going to be a cracker - with hot sunny weather forecast for most of the country.
MetService spokesperson Bob McDavitt said a high pressure ridge would move across the country on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
"That's good for fine sunny weather. Thanks to that ridge, it should be the hottest day of the month."
It will be a relief for Kiwis who have endured a poor December with lower than average temperatures.
The highest temperature will be 25C in Wanaka, and the lowest will be 18C in Invercargill. Auckland will be fine and sunny and about 22C.
But a front will roll in to the west later on Christmas Day, which isn't good news for Taranaki and Wanganui, or for the West Coast of the South Island. "It will be cloudy in the West, and there might be some drizzle," said McDavitt.
A return to less favourable December weather will begin on Boxing Day, with a low to move into the southern part of the country.
"But it should still be fine for the races in Auckland," said McDavitt.
And the rest of the week will feature a south-westerly flow bringing poor weather for the New Year.
"It will be cool south-westerly showers to see out the end of 2006," said McDavitt.
- HERALD ON SUNDAY
