Bay's hot weather to stick around and greet Santa

Molly (left) and Lily Ruebe-Haig enjoy the warm weather yesterday at Mount Maunganui beach. The pair, originally from Tauranga, have just flown in from Georgia, Photo/Ruth Keber Eastern Europe.

Santa hopefully will be delivering his sack full of goodies in board shorts and jandals this year.

With a high of 24C for the Bay of Plenty region at the weekend, the MetService is expecting more fine, summery weather over the Christmas period.

MetService media and communications meteorologist Daniel Corbett said looking at the way the weather was going at the moment there would be decent beach and barbecue weather for the holiday period.

"It's going in the right direction but we need to keep an eye on it," Mr Corbett said. "These troughs should bring some wet spells in places, but between these, the drier days will be decent for outdoor plans."

Afternoon heating could also result in some afternoon thunderstorms this week but a high would come in this weekend.

Molly, 11, and Lily Ruebe-Haig, 8, enjoyed the warm weather at Mount Maunganui beach yesterday morning.

Originally from Tauranga, the pair and their parents have flown in for a six-week holiday from Georgia, Eastern Europe.

The sisters relished the sun and having sand between their toes. It was a nice break from the cooler climate at home.

Shop owners in the area noticed an increase in sales and people in stores at the weekend because of the good weather.

Harper store manager Nicole Hall said the pressure was on early on Saturday.

"It was a really busy day and stayed steady the whole day. The first two hours in the morning were actually insane," she said. "It will probably be worse next weekend. A lot of people have said they haven't even started their Christmas shopping yet."

It was also going to be crazy with the cruise ship coming in just before Christmas, she said.

Stacey Mullany from Tauranga Sunglass Hut said sales in the shop had picked up the last few days: "I don't know if it is the weather or if it is because of Christmas but we are way busier in store."

Highs of 24C are expected for the next week and lifeguards are now manning the beaches at Mount Maunganui, Omanu and Papamoa.