Otago looks ‘‘a pretty safe bet'' to enjoy fine weather on New Year's Eve, the MetService says.
The Southern region enjoyed warm temperatures over the Christmas period and some parts of Central Otago exceeded 30degC on Boxing Day.
MetService meteorologist Tom Adams said the warm weather was the result of a high pressure system over the country.
That high would be ‘‘squeezed'' over the next few days by a trough from the west and a deep low from the east.
That would result in cooler temperatures and showers across most of the country by Wednesday, Mr Adams said.
However, a new ridge of high pressure would start building over central and southern New Zealand on New Year's Eve, meaning conditions should improve in time for the end-of-year celebrations, he said.
The long-range forecast for New Year's Eve for Dunedin was for showers to clear and northeasterlies to develop, with temperatures reaching 17degC.
The outlook was much the same for Queenstown and Wanaka. Rain was expected to clear and temperatures were forecast to reach 21degC and 24degC, respectively.
Alexandra could also expect the rain to clear and a high of 22degC, while Oamaru would be fine and 17degC.
