After a settled couple of days, today is looking showery…and maybe even a little stormy.

Showers have already been falling across parts of both islands.  Heavy falls have eased a bit for the deep south of the South Island.  However, heavier showers could fall on the West Coast and Nelson.

In addition to all that, thunderstorms are a very real possibility today.  The northern and western sections of both island could hear a few claps of thunder.  MetService and WeatherWatch.co.nz agree that the highest risk lies across the Coromandel Peninsula, Northland and Auckland.  The thunderstorm activity would be most likely this evening.

Waikato and Taranaki could also see thunderstorms this evening, but the chance is not very good.

Nelson, the West Coast and southern Canterbury also have a low risk for thunderstorms this afternoon.

As far as the rest of the country goes, whilst thunderstorms aren’t expected, plenty of rain is.  Expect a pretty grey and damp day regardless of where you are in New Zealand.

Photo by Geoff Blackmore

By WeatherWatch Analyst Howard Joseph