Focus Live: “Energetic" cold front hitting the South Island is set to move North before Christmas. Video / Jed Bradley
Kiwis can celebrate the start of the weekend and Christmas break with a "well deserved break of fine and calm weather", MetService says.
Auckland can expect a top of 21C today as chilly southerly winds keep temperatures "modest" across the country, including a high of just 16C in Wellington.
The fine weather should carry through to Christmas Day for most of the country with a warning for boaters to keep an eye on big swells coming up from the south over the next few days.
Kiwis across the country can expect a mostly fine Saturday and magnificent Sunday, something Santa (Ian McAlpine) and Glenys Grant, pictured on Mt Taranaki will enjoy. Photo / Supplied
Aucklanders making for their baches today can expect the Southern Motorway out of the city to start getting busy as early as 8am and heavy from 10am-5pm, the NZ Transport Agency said.
Busy roads can be expected all the way to the Coromandel and close to Hamilton and Tauranga.
Aucklanders heading north out of the can expect roads to get busy from 9.30am and heavy from 10.30am-3pm.
Wellingtonians can expect nasty traffic along the Kapiti Coast from 6.30am all the way through to 5.30pm and busy roads north of Upper Hutt from 9.30am to 3.30pm.
This weekend's sunshine comes after a week where Mother Nature threw plenty of punches at the country with wild and wet weather, MetService's Hines said.
Auckland today can expect isolated showers clearing by evening on its way to 21C. Overnight temperatures dropped to a cool 11C.
However, tomorrow is expected to be a cloud free, radiant 21C with cloudy and sunny periods for the rest of the week and a top of 23C on Christmas Eve and 22C on Christmas Day.
If you're heading away over the Christmas break, look to plan your journey in advance. Avoid holiday congestion by leaving during non-peak hours when traffic is lighter, either early in the morning or late at night. More: https://t.co/AbccuqOYTF. 🚗🚙 ^MF pic.twitter.com/ekGurPoh65
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) December 19, 2019
Hamilton and Tauranga can also expect possible showers today with tops of 22C, before gorgeous weather on Sunday with tops of 23C and 25C, respectively.
Hamilton will reach 26C on Monday and Tuesday before a top of 24C on Christmas Day.
Tauranga is headed for a top of 23C on Christmas Day and some showers developing.
