MetService is forecasting generally settled weather for travellers in the lead-up to Christmas and for the Boxing Day weekend.

“The anticyclone rolling in from the Tasman Sea is a hay-maker of a high,” said MetService Weather Ambassador, Bob McDavitt. “It is likely to linger over the North Island until at least Boxing Day and bring an extended period of warm dry weather, the best of the month so far. This is good for travelling or being outdoors.”

Mr McDavitt added that even with this large anticyclone there may be a few minor weather problems. “Some afternoon downpours are possible around the inland parts of the North Island around the middle of this week.

Also, a northwest flow is expected to build over the South Island on Thursday and Friday, bringing rain or drizzle to Fiordland and southern Westland, gusty conditions as far north as Tararua, and temperatures soaring to the mid or high twenties for people in eastern places from Gisborne to Otago.”

The next rain-bearing front is expected, at this stage, to move onto Southland late on Boxing Day and bring a southerly change to the South Island on Sunday. People are reminded to check the latest MetService weather forecasts when planning recreational trips to the beach or mountains, and be aware of the increasing fire risk that accompanies this extended period of dry weather.

For the Hauraki gulf , sea breezes are likely  until Boxing Day and then  southwesterlies until the end of the year .