Updated 10am — More downpours continue today but heavy falls won’t be as widespread as squally showers and thunderstorms move into the western North Island and some continue around the upper South Island.

Thunderstorm risks include the chance for severe thunderstorms. Not everyone in the risk zone will get a thunderstorm but the chance of them forming is there today.

The instability caused by this system make cause isolated small tornados and/or squalls (strong winds within some heavy downpours) – any will likely be highly isolated but it shows the risks with today’s weather as it comes off the Tasman Sea into the western North Island.

Winds may still be gusty to gale force in some places at times.

The Jet Stream is roaring over northern NZ today!

It's helping add intensity to the big #weather system crossing #NewZealand and #Australia.https://t.co/gb7E1qcpZ3 / https://t.co/D35ySCBYsG pic.twitter.com/Cfc1jUYMpB

— WeatherWatch.co.nz (@WeatherWatchNZ) July 17, 2021

While some rain is forecast for the South Island it’s not to the extent of the deluge just seen. But with swollen rivers more slips and flooding are possible and isolated heavy downpours may occur. Check www.RuralWeather.co.nz for hyper-local rainfall estimates, powered by IBM’s supercomputer Watson – and you can also find these rainfall totals in your local WeatherWatch forecast.

Also, keep up to date with any MetService thunderstorm warnings and other severe weather warnings live here at WeatherWatch.co.nz.

#Temperatures: Several degrees warmer than average today across parts of #NewZealand, a few degrees above normal tonight and Monday – but Monday night… well, we're back to winter again! pic.twitter.com/7ejGLZelHR

— WeatherWatch.co.nz (@WeatherWatchNZ) July 17, 2021

The North Island's turn for the bulk of the downpours today as heavy showers and some thunderstorms coming in from the west. Here are the next few days (24 hour rainfall accumulation). pic.twitter.com/vf6AvktXMa

— WeatherWatch.co.nz (@WeatherWatchNZ) July 17, 2021