Weather: 'Tropical-fuelled' storms to kick off first official days of New Zealand summer

Summer's just around the corner, but the weather will take some time to catch up.

The latter half of November has been notably rainy across New Zealand, and the soggy weather will continue into December.

This weekend is off to a wet start thanks to a broad low moving in from the Tasman Sea. Auckland and Northland are in for a soaking on Friday and Saturday, as well as Waikato, Taupo and Nelson.

The rain may reach warning levels later in the weekend for the Coromandel, Rotorua and the Bay of Plenty. MetService advises residents to stay alert and keep an eye out for any severe weather watches that may be issued on Saturday or Sunday.

Downpours and storms can be expected for much of the North Island until the middle of next week, when a westerly moves in to change things up.

The South Island will escape the wintry weather, with much of the island set to enjoy a mostly sunny weekend with the possibility of some afternoon showers.

December will kick off with some northerlies, which will envelope the country in extra warm tropical air. Combined with our local daytime inland heating, it will create big build-ups of cloud, as well as rain and thunderstorms.

Weather: 'Tropical-fuelled' storms to kick off first official days of New Zealand summer
Photo credit: Weather Watch

"This is normal weather for this time of the year as true summer starts to move in, usually kicking in properly by January," says Weather Watch.

If you live in the North Island, maybe don't throw out your umbrella just yet.

Newshub.