It's unlikely to be a sunny Christmas for most of the country

Wet and cloudy weather is forecast for the North Island - with muggy and rainy conditions expected for the northern and central regions.

Areas north of Auckland could even be set to receive some thunderstorms.

MetService Meteorologist Sarah Garlick says the grey conditions will be widespread for the South Island as well.

She says the best weather will be in the areas from Wellington to Kapiti.