As of 4pm the centre of the low responsible for yesterday’s freak hail storm and tornado outbreak was passing directly over Te Puke but bringing with it much more settled weather.

While the low is now dying it is having one last gasp as it throws a period of torrential rain across parts of Northland and heavy showers, some with thunder and hail, over other northern regions.

A few thunderstorms remain in the Tasman Sea and may come ashore this afternoon and evening – however they are very isolated at this stage.   Regions north of Taranaki and East Cape are most exposed to a heavy downpour over the next 8 to 12 hours.

It is not expected that weather conditions will produce anything as severe as yesterday.

A brief period of heavy rain is moving across Northland and will arrive in Whangarei shortly.  It’s possible there could be some surface flooding as a result of the sudden downpour.

Meanwhile conditions were cold again for many places today across both islands.

Click here for today’s run down of national highs.

More stormy weather on the way

Tomorrow morning we’ll look at the next storm on the way which is likely to bring gales and heavy rain to some parts of both islands.  Full run down in our 5 o’clock news update tomorrow morning.