North Island

A patch of aggressive thunderstorms is currently moving north out at sea off Auckland's west coast.

In the past hour the Lightning Tracker at WeatherWatch.co.nz has recorded almost 500 lightning strikes.

The thunderstorms aren't expected to make a direct hit on land however WeatherWatch says those on the west coast should be aware of them in case they do brush the coast.  They could bring sudden dangerous seas and lightning strikes.

Firefighters in Northland are still dampening down a huge fire that began three weeks ago.

The 100 hectare blaze at Kaimaumau, north of Kaitaia, is suspected to have been caused by arson.

Rural fire officer Kevin Ihaka says because the site is a peat bog, the fire is smouldering in the ground itself.

On the same day water restrictions were imposed in the Far North the clouds have formed and rain has started to fall - and in some areas it's been a healthy amount although it is patchy.

WeatherWatch.co.nz reader, Rob, says his property in the Far North just north of Kaitaia has recorded 45mms since 1pm.

Rainfall has been well below normal in most of the country, with Auckland having a record dry February.

NIWA figures show many regions received less than half their normal February rain. Auckland received less than ten percent of its regular level.

Most regions of the country have also experienced above average temperatures with the highest, of 35.6 degrees, recorded at Cheviot on Monday of last week.

More than 150,000 people are expected to visit the Auckland Lantern Festival which starts in Albert Park tonight.

It is the 11th anniversary of the three day event.

The Asia New Zealand Foundation says the festival reflects the significance of the Chinese community in Auckland and the reality there are over 160-thousand people of Chinese descent in the city.

A rapidly weakening front is currently moving across the North Island but despite the rain clouds 'falling apart' afternoon heating, sunny spells and high humidity could lead to some heavy localised downpours.

WeatherWatch.co.nz believes thunderstorms wont be so widespread however his morning MetService increased their thunderstorm risk to include the risk of Severe Thunderstorms mainly across inland areas such as Waikato and the Taupo region.

A slow moving front and high humidity will today bring a risk of thunderstorms to northern New Zealand.

Government forecaster MetService says there's a high chance of thunderstorms for Auckland, Hamilton and Whangarei today.

"For Northland and Auckland heavy showers are likely to get going by late morning with a moderate risk of the first thunderstorms occuring before midday.  During the afternoon the front is expected to merge with strong seabreeze convergence lines lying down through Northland, Auckland, Waikato and into the central North Island. There is a moderate to high risk of thunderstorms through the afternoon with some intense rainfalls up to 25mm per hour and small hail" says MetService.

A question mark still hangs over the Thursday forecast for parched farms in Northland.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says a low in the southern Tasman Sea will today approach Fiordland and attached to it are a number of weak fronts.  The computer models are still undecided as to how much rain will make it to Northland and other dry North Island farms.

King tides predicted for Auckland starting next weekend should not pose too much of a problem - providing the weather stays fine.

The series of very high tides begins on Sunday 28 February, peaking on March 2 or 3, when there will be a 3.6 metre high tide.

Auckland climate scientist Jim Salinger says if the tides coincide with low pressure weather systems we could experience flooding, but the latest long range forecast suggests there will be no issues.