It might be summer, but Aucklanders might need to cancel any beach plans with rain to lash the city on Sunday.
It comes as MetService says a series of fronts embedded within a moist northwest flow are expected to bring rain to much of the country over the weekend.
MetService's website said Aucklanders should expect 12 hours of straight rain from 8am on Sunday, with 6.4mm expected between 12pm and 6pm.
MetService meteorologist Ngaire Wotherspoon told Newshub the southern parts of Auckland are expected to see the worst of the weather.
"The heaviest rain is looking to pass south of Auckland, over like western central North Island, but it'll be a rainy day for most of the North Island area," she said.
Wotherspoon said there will be a vast contrast in the temperatures between the North and South Islands.
"It's more a southwest flow with cold fronts over the South Island, so it's actually quite a different feel between the North Island and South Island," she told Newshub.
"It's going to be quite warm in the North Island and we're expecting a sharp temperature drop over the South Island."
MetService said warm northwesterly winds are set to drive temperatures up. Christchurch and Ashburton are both forecast to reach 27 degrees on Sunday, Timaru 25C, and Kaikōura 24C.
"It won't last, though, as a cold front sweeps northeast, sending maximum temperatures plummeting on Monday. Christchurch and Ashburton should drop to 13C, with Timaru and Kaikōura a whisker above at 14C," MetService said.
But it's not just the City of Sails in the firing line for bad weather on Sunday, with MetService updating its weather warnings and watches for parts of the North and South Islands.
An orange heavy rain warning has been issued for the Eastern ranges of the Bay of Plenty from 4pm on Sunday until 3am on Monday
MetService said this area should expect 80mm of rain at peak rates of 20mm/h.
The ranges of Tasman northwest of Motueka, Buller and Westland from Otira northwards are also in the firing line with a heavy rain warning issued until 4pm on Sunday.
The forecasting agency said the area should expect 60mm of rain at peak rates of 15mm/h.
An orange heavy rain warning is also in place for Bryant and Richmond ranges, and the Rai Valley until 3pm on Sunday.
MetService said the area should expect 50mm of rain at peak rates of 15mm/h.
"Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous," MetService warned for the areas under an orange heavy rain warning.
A heavy rain watch is also in place for Mt Ruapehu and Taupo south of Turangi, Mount Taranaki and the Tararua Range.
Heavy Rain Warning - Orange
Area: The ranges of Tasman northwest of Motueka, Buller and Westland from Otira northwards
Period: 6hrs from 10am - 4pm Sun, 3 Dec
Forecast: Expect 50 to 60 mm of rain in addition to what has already fallen. Peak rates of 10 to 15 mm/h.
Area: Bryant and Richmond ranges, and the Rai Valley
Period: 5hrs from 10am - 3pm Sun, 3 Dec
Forecast: Expect 40 to 50 mm of rain in addition to rain which has already accumulated. Peak rates of 10 to 15 mm/h expected.
Area: Eastern ranges of the Bay of Plenty
Period: 11hrs from 4pm Sun, 3 Dec - 3am Mon, 4 Dec
Forecast: Expect 60 to 80 mm of rain. Peak rates of 10 to 20 mm/h expected Sunday evening.
Heavy Rain Watch
Area: About Mt Ruapehu and Taupo south of Turangi
Period: 9hrs from 3pm - midnight Sun, 3 Dec
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria.
Area: Mount Taranaki
Period: 10hrs from 10am - 8pm Sun, 3 Dec
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria.
Area: Tararua Range
Period: 11hrs from 11am - 10pm Sun, 3 Dec
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria.
