WeatherWatch.co.nz’s Christmas Day forecast for 2017 shows a cold front moving into the West Coast bringing rain later and hotter weather in the east of both islands. There will be a few isolated showers in the North Island. A late cool southerly arrives in the lower half of the South Island, reaching Canterbury at night.

Hottest areas during the day will be in the east like Canterbury, Marlborough and Hawke’s Bay where temperatures are likely to reach the late 20s and low 30s C.

Wettest weather will be on the West Coast with some heavy rain slowly moving northwards.

Some showers are likely in the North Island too, some may be heavy later in the day around Central Plateau or some of the ranges. A nor’east breeze should keep them moving in the upper North Island..

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CHRISTMAS DAY 2017

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HOTTEST: Eastern New Zealand. We expect highs in the late 20s and low 30s C in the east of both islands. Most other places will be warm to hot in the mid to late 20s but breezes off the sea may make things a little cooler for for some coastal areas in the north of the country.

COOLEST: The West Coast area and Southland with highs not even reaching the late teens in some areas as a cooler southerly arrives, spreading into Otago during the day and Canterbury by the end of the day.

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WETTEST:  The West Coast with a chance of Heavy Falls. There may be showers or patches of rain for Southland and parts of Otago later too.

In the North Island afternoon there may be a few showers, some may be heavy.

DRIEST: Many places look dry but perhaps the upper South Island’s coastal areas (like Nelson) may be driest with lowest risks of rain or an afternoon shower.

Below: Forecast Rain Radar for mid afternoon Christmas Day

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Generally speaking Christmas Day is shaping up to be a good one for many parts of New Zealand but certainly a few moving parts to keep an eye on.

Remember we have over 1500 forecast locations including hourly forecasts on our website for Christmas Day at whichever New Zealand beach, suburb, city, town or Kiwi Community you are planning to be in. 

– Image, File, Claude Therond

– WeatherWatch.co.nz