A tropically-fuelled cocktail of muggy conditions coupled with heavy rain and strong winds is set to sweep over New Zealand this weekend threatening travel disruption and flooding.
MetService has today issued a raft of warnings for the West Coast and bottom of the North Island ahead of a sub-tropical jetstream taking aim at the country.
The forecaster says both islands are in for an unsettled period of weather from today onwards with thunderstorms, heavy rain, strong winds, high humidity and hot temperatures.
Western and northern parts especially are in line for summer-like warmth and sticky conditions, with the humid air warm fuelling a spell of "active weather" featuring electrical storms.
It warned the strong winds bearing down on the capital on Saturday could affect travel while the heavy rain could see regions inundated by slips and flooding.
The weekend is shaping up to be a sticky, stormy affair for much of the North Island. Image / MetService
Temperatures are expected to rise on Friday with unusually warm weather expected this weekend and into next week.
Over the coming days the tropical airflow would see humidity increase, with Niwa advising those in the north to pull out fans from the back of the cupboard.
Auckland is set to enjoy a balmy 22C on Friday and Saturday, with an overnight low of 17C at the weekend - a drop of just five degrees.
This afternoon the Tasman District Council warned residents to get prepared. While the burst of rain is not expected to be a large event, now was a good time to make sure everything was in order.
The Nelson region was inundated in August with days of rain that saw rivers burst banks, and widespread damage to homes and surrounding terrain.
