So what can you expect where you are as you ring in the new year?  Here are the details.

North Island-

• Northern half-   Wet.  The heaviest rain is winding down for tonight, but showers will still be around as the evening wears on and the calendar changes from 2011 to 2012.  Northland may see an extended break in the rain during the overnight hours into early Sunday afternoon.  However showers may return by mid afternoon on Sunday.  Auckland looks to be getting a break after sunrise on Sunday, but rain may return there late Sunday afternoon.  The Bay of Plenty may still see some heavy rain tonight, but it looks like the main threat is shifting south.  However, the Bay of Plenty could see brief heavy rain return during the day tomorrow.
• Southern half- Heavy rain is still possible this evening into late tonight from south of Te Awamutu in the central Waikato south to Palmerston North and Masterson.  This would include the Tongariro National Park.  Rain is expected for much of tomorrow as well, although Hawkes bay and coastal regions to the south may catch a break from the rain early in the morning.

South Island-

• Tasman, Nelson and Marlborough– On and off rain is expected to continue in these areas during the night and through much of Sunday.  While brief periods of heavy rain are possible, chances are not very good.  Nevertheless, a rather wet New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are expected for these areas.
• The rest of the South Island-  Most of the region will have a quiet night tonight and very nice New Year’s Day with settled weather and pleasant summer temperatures.  However, a few showers may move across the coastal regions of Otago and into Canterbury during the evening and into the night.  This would affect both Dunedin and Christchurch.  However, rain chances are small and the majority of the day tomorrow still looks very nice.