It’s going to be a difficult run for Santa this Christmas, with tropical storms expected to lash most parts of New Zealand during the weekend.
In its Christmas forecast, Niwa said thunderstorms, showers, sunshine, and warm temperatures were all on the Christmas day menu.
Meterologists predicted stormy conditions for the east coast of the North Island from Gisborne to Wairarapa tomorrow and Christmas Day, with the maximum temperature unlikely to rise beyond the low 20s.
Any thoughts of a Christmas Eve barbeque in the region are likely to be scuppered by showers and isolated thunderstorms developing in the afternoon.
Niwa said Christmas Day would bring some intermittent reprieve from the wet weather, forecasting a partly sunny day with scattered afternoon showers and thunderstorms possible across the east coast.
Boxing Day would dawn partly cloudy, with maximum temperatures in the low 20s.
Niwa said there was a chance the rain would continue in the region, with isolated afternoon showers forecast for the afternoon of December 26.
Those hoping to catch a break over the hill are out of luck, with Wellington expected to be cloudy tomorrow with a chance of showers and thunderstorms predicted for Christmas Day.
However, Boxing Day in the capital looks more summery, with sunny weather predicted and temperatures forecast in the mid-20s.
