The sun came out for Christmas Day across Rotorua and the Bay of Plenty, but rain is on the way, forecasters are warning.
MetService experts said a large high was expected to lie just to the east of the North Island today and should slowly move east.
A low was also expected to approach the Far North of the country on Wednesday, bringing rain. "The most likely scenario at the moment is that the low becomes slow-moving west of Northland and could bring a sustained period of rain and strong winds," a forecaster said. "As there is still ... uncertainty in the track of the low and consequently the timing and intensity of rain people, especially holiday-makers, are advised to keep up to date with the latest forecasts."
Rotorua was expected to be cloudy today with a few showers and northeast breezes. Tuesday is expected to be cloudy with showers and a high of 19C and a low of 12C. Wednesday is also expected to be cloudy with northeast winds, a high of 22C and low of 11C. Thursday is forecast to have rain and northeast winds with a high of 23C and a low of 13C. The rain is set to continue through Friday, Saturday and Sunday which is set to have a high of 21C and a low of 17C.
Whakatane was forecast to have drizzle today with a high of 21C and a low of 14C. The drizzle is expected to turn to rain on Thursday, which is expected to have a high of 23C and a low of 13C. Friday is expected to have rain with northeasterlies, a high of 22C and a low of 18C. Rain is also expected for New Year's Eve on Saturday and New Year's Day on Sunday, which is expected to have a high of 22C and a low of 18C.