A mixed bag of weather is in the forecast for today’s end of year festivities across Central.

MetService meteorologist John Law said New Year’s Eve weather was “looking like an unsettled story”, with the prospect of showers and possibly some thunderstorms and hail to see out 2023. 

Fine weather is expected to return by New Year’s Day.

High pressure is building across the country for the start of 2024, which would mean many parts of the country will have a good start to the new year with “plenty of dry and fine weather in store”.

“Central Otago looks to be one of the warmest spots with a forecast high of 25 degrees Celsius, similar to Hawkes Bay and Gisborne.”

However, people are encouraged to keep an eye on weather forecasts, due to their ever changing patterns, which had been the case over much of the holiday season so far.

John said MetService’s rain readings since Christmas had shown there had been 18mm at Wedderburn, 13mm at Alexandra and 9mm at Cromwell. 

He said while there is some rain in the forecast later in the week, the general trend is for a drier start to the year.

People can keep an eye on thunderstorm charts here.

To keep an eye on weather reports, click on The Central App’s weather button.

Read more: Recent rainfall benefits the Maniototo.