UPDATED

While it’s been a mostly quiet afternoon thunderstorm-wise across the South Island the North Island’s west coast may well see a better a shot at thunderstorms tonight.

In the past hour lightning strikes have nudged closer to 200 per hour, mainly off the Taranaki and Nelson coasts.

See the Lightning Tracker here.

Not only that but hail and snow over higher ground in inland areas of the mainland look to be part of the menu as well.

The Government forecaster, MetService have a number of warnings out for much of the country, as a system makes itself well known to our shores.It appears to be relatively shortlived but potentially severe in nature.

Make sure you check out our lightning tracker to see where all the activity is!