An unstable weather pattern has set up for today.  Pieces of energy at the surface and favourable conditions aloft will make for a pretty wet Monday.

In addition to the showers and areas of rain, thunderstorms are a pretty good bet for many areas.

At this time, the best chance for thunderstorms looks to be about the West Coast, Nelson and the Kapiti Coast during the afternoon and evening.  WeatherWatch.co.nz forecasters and Government forecaster MetService agree that these regions are running a high risk for thunderstorms this afternoon and tonight. 

Thunderstorms area also possible for eastern Otago and Canterbury, including Christchurch.  Taranaki and Waitomo could also see thunderstorms.  Although in these areas, the risk is slightly less.  The timing on the thunderstorms for these regions would be this afternoon and tonight.

All thunderstorms that develop will have the potential to put down brief heavy rain, small hail and wind gusts up to 90 km/h.

Homepage image/ Rachel Roberts

By WeatherWatch.co.nz Analyst Howard Joseph