Thunderstorms signal the arrival of summer in New Zealand

Wednesday 3 December 2025 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated Thu 4 Dec 2025, 6:00am

A combination of heat, humidity and unstable air has triggered thunderstorms across the country this week. Geography professor James Renwick explains that these storms form when warm, moist air rises into cooler atmospheric layers.

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1. RNZWed 3 Dec 2025, 4:39pm

   Thunderstorms are noisily kicking off summer in NZ – what’s driving them? (opens in new tab)

2. 1NewsThu 4 Dec 2025, 6:00am

   Thunderstorms are kicking off summer in NZ – what’s driving them? (opens in new tab)