VANESSA LAURIE/Stuff
Most New Zealanders can look forward to more settled weather to kick off the first day of the year.
After much of rain and thunderstorm watches saw a thundery and wet end to the year, Aotearoa is looking ahead to a brighter, clearer first day of 2024.
Hannah Moes, Metservice metereologist, said while a couple of fronts over the North Island delivered plenty of rain on Sunday, those were expected to “clear out” on Monday morning.
“For the most part, it’s an easing and clearing trend [for the day],” she said.
The week will also see a return to “typical summer time temperatures across the country”, with Whakatane, Napier and Hastings expecting a high of 25 degrees and Wānaka expecting a high of 24.
While the widespread rain is expected to clear out during the early hours of New Year’s Day, morning showers are still expected in parts of the North and South islands.
Taranaki, Whanganui and Manawatu could see thunderstorms pre-dawn, but fine weather should hit the regions by the afternoon.
A few morning showers are also expected in Wairarapa and Horowhenua to Wellington.
Alden Williams/Stuff
After a rainy end to the year, the sun is set to come out for much of the country.
Nelson and Marlborough are looking ahead to a clear start to 2024, and Canterbury, Otago, Southland will also kick off the year with a largely fine day.
The Southland Coast, Chatham Islands can expect showers, as can Canterbury Plains and Kaikura Coast in the early morning.
Northland to Taumarunui, including Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty and the central high country can expect a fine start to the day.
That overnight rain is also making way for a fine start to the day in Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay and the Tararua District.
Buller, Westland, will see showers clearing on Monday.
Looking to the week ahead, said Moes, “there’s a ridge of high pressure across the country, which generally leads itself to more settled weather”.
