We count down the days to Christmas and in today’s weather video we also look at Boxing Day – as perhaps the biggest burst of rain for New Zealand in two months heads northwards.

Over the next few days and into the weekend the forecast doesn’t change a great deal with isolated showers here and there and fairly dry weather.

Temperatures may be a little bit down at times due to the southerly quarter winds but by Sunday the heat comes back as northerly quarter winds return.

Christmas Day is looking hot in the north and east of the country with highs in the late 20s forecast. Nor’west winds may be quite blustery south of Cook Strait with rain on the West Coast and sun and heat in the east. By Boxing Day a significant band of rain moves northwards and may finally bring some relief to parched farms and gardens in the North Island as well as the South, but a temperature drop again too.

If you’re heading away on holiday note that Boxing Day looks wet in many areas at this stage. Our next update will be before Noon Thursday.