The weekend is packed with all types of weather this weekend, from thunderstorms and rain to sun, heat and high humidity.

A large high east of New Zealand will energise a stream of tropical air straight from the New Caledonia area, so high humidity is predicted for many parts of New Zealand, but especially the upper North Island.

If you thought the humidity was bad earlier this week it’s highly possible that Saturday will be even worse – with even hotter weather expected.

That heat is likely to extend to many parts of the country this Saturday but those areas that are hot under winds from the northerly quarter may well be in the late 20s – coupled with high humidity it will feel more like the mid 30s.

These extra hot and humid regions are mostly likely to be Auckland, Waikato, inland Bay of Plenty, Gisborn, King Country, Central Plateau, Hawkes Bay, Wanganui, Taranaki, Hutt Valley, Canterbury and Central Otago.

If the sun can break through for a decent amount of time on Saturday then many official readings may hit 28 degrees.

The heat and high humidity could spark some heavy afternoon heat showers, some with thunderstorms – possibly severe – anywhere over the North Island.  Check the government forecaster’s thunderstorm prediction on Saturday morning for more details.

However the weekend won’tbe especially sunny with plenty of energy remaining in the Tasman Sea fuelling rain and showers across many places on either Saturday or Sunday – and for some in the south, both days.  Great news for farmers.  Great news for the economy.  Not great news for early holidaymakers.

Homepage image / Debbie Zillwood