High pressure is trying to build in the west of the country but the southerly flow moving over New Zealand today is helping create a few big downpours, some with hail.

Wanaka has had a significant hail shower as have parts of Canterbury. Big downpours with hail and isolated thunderstorms are possible around Canterbury and the upper South Island ranges across Saturday afternoon.

Tonight the heaviest of these showers will ease and clear in most South Island area.

In the North Island showers are dotting southern and eastern areas.  Some are heavy.

As we head into Sunday these showers will continue around the eastern coastline of the North Island and into northern areas too, mainly around Gisborne, East Cape and towards Coromandel Peninsula and Great Barrier Island.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz