Whanganui weather: Drizzly and windy conditions expected over New Year period

Morning showers are expected for New Year's Day in Whanganui. Photo / Erin Smith

Whanganui is set for a drizzly New Year period, which may stifle some plans.

MetService meteorologist Katie Lyons said the North Island, particularly the east coast, is experiencing bad weather in late December.

Fortunately, Whanganui is “pretty sheltered” from a lot of the more severe weather patterns, she said.

Monday and Tuesday brings some rain to the region, with sporadic, strong southeasterly winds.

“The good news for Whanganui is that the direction [of the wind] is not as locked in as other areas,” Lyons said.

Temperatures are moderate, with highs of 22C and 23C for Monday and Tuesday, respectively.

New Year’s Eve is forecast to be the hottest of the week at 27C but showers are expected in the afternoon.

Lyons said showers could clear out before midnight, leading into 2026, but “it will be one to watch, for sure”.

“People might just get lucky around Whanganui, with things clearing up, and they can be outside for New Year’s Eve.”

Morning plans for New Year’s Day may need to be altered or postponed as the wind direction gradually tilts from northeasterly to westerly and showers resume, Lyons said.

She said things could change, however.

“It’s one of those that, if people check the radar and forecast that morning, could get a break in there but it’s definitely one where you have to time it well.”

A high of 24C is anticipated for New Year’s Day.

For the first few days into 2026, people may have to resort to getting cover indoors and writing New Year resolutions, Lyons said.

Fin Ocheduszko Brown is a multimedia journalist based in Whanganui.