Christmas Day weather: Can you sit outside for lunch?

Christmas morning could be cool, however the afternoon looks mild or hot for many. Photo / File

Dust off your barbecues and get ready for a Christmas Day outside, sun looks likely.

WeatherWatch says a large high is approaching New Zealand for Christmas and Boxing Day.

Forecaster Philip Duncan said there was a 20 per cent chance of showers early in the morning nationwide, mostly in western South Island areas. But they were likely to dry out after the sun comes up.

The chances of showers fell to about 5 per cent in the afternoon.

The warmest places to be were likely around Gisborne, Bay of Plenty, eastern Northland and the Coromandel Peninsula where highs may reach low to mid 20s.

The South Island was expected to be cooler. Dunedin may only reach a high in the low to mid teens, Christchurch the mid to late teens and Wellington late teens, Duncan said.

The south to southwest flow meant Southland may only reach 13C in the deep south but up to 20 in Central Otago.

The flow meant it may be cool, cloudy and brisk for those enjoying an outdoor Christmas lunch.

"Many want to know if the incoming high means you can have lunch or dinner outdoors," said Duncan.

"We're going with yes and no. The high coming in brings a bit of southwest flow to the country."

He said Auckland may be a "little windy" with a southwesterly around 30km/h.

"The kids may not care much but the parents or grandparents might."

Duncan said coastal areas of both islands may be exposed to cloudy areas and breezy colder winds. Neighbouring regions will be hot and sunny.

"The mountains and ranges make all the difference this wekeend and one slight change in the wind angle can make a big difference between whether or not it will be cloud-free or cloudy.

"It may be one of those decisions you can't make until the day itself - if you're a bit fussy about temperatures, wind or cloud cover that is."

He said sunburn was still a risk.

"Even in cloudy weather you can get sunburned. Be aware of the conditions - and remember if it's a cold day that makes zero difference on whether or not you can get UV damage to your skin."

Christmas temperatures

Whangarei
Christmas Eve: High 21C, low 14C
Christmas Day: High 22C, low 13C
Boxing Day: High 23C, low 13C

Auckland
Christmas Eve: High 20, low 15C
Christmas Day: High 19C, low 15C
Boxing Day: High 19, low 15C

Tauraunga:
Christmas Eve: High 23C, low 13C
Christmas Day: High 22C, low 13C
Boxing Day: High 23, low 13C

Rotorua
Christmas Eve: High 21C, low 10C
Christmas Day: High 21C, low 11C
Boxing Day: High 22C, low 11C

Napier
Christmas Eve: High 22C, low 12C
Christmas Day: High 24C, low 11C
Boxing Day: High 23C, low 12C

Wellington
Christmas Eve: High 18C, low 12C
Christmas Day: High 16C, low 13C
Boxing Day: High 16C, low 13C

Christchurch
Christmas Eve: High 20C, low 11C
Christmas Day: High 20C, low 10C
Boxing Day: High 21C, low 11C

Dunedin
Christmas Eve: High 20C, low 11C
Christmas Day: High 14C, low 10C
Boxing Day: High 16C, low 10C

- MetService