A cold front is bringing wet weather to many parts of the country this Christmas

Showers, with heavy rain possible, are forecast for the majority of the South Island, particularly the West Coast.

MetService meteorologist Clare O'Connor says the West Coast of the South Island catches the brunt of the front.

She says there's a risk of thunderstorms through inland Canterbury and Otago as well.

The driest conditions are forecast for the lower North Island, Hawke's Bay and Marlborough.