Here’s what is making the weather headlines today.

THUNDERSTORMS ON MONDAY

Thunderstorms developed for various parts around the country on Monday, isolated heavy showers sprung up for inland Northland, Waikato and parts of the lower North Island.

Canterbury managed a few good thunderstorms and naturally I did my best to chase a few storms that formed inland from Christchurch. The first storm moved over Christchurch then southwards. The second storm formed further inland to the west then moved southwards towards Rakaia.

I only managed one reasonable lightning photo but it was a great chase with some great cloud structure.

Aaron

HEAVY RAIN AND STRONG WINDS ON WEDNESDAY – SOUTH ISLAND

A front moves over the South Island on Wednesday bringing some very heavy rain to the West Coast.

Expect strong northerlies through Cook Strait with gales likely, strong northerlies can also be expected for the West Coast, through the Main Divide and about some inland parts in the east Canterbury northwards.

Metservice have various watches and warnings out on this system, check them out here.

• 

• 

WARM IN THE EAST ON WEDNESDAY

Along with the strong northerly airflow and heavy rain for the West Coast on Wednesday, warm temperatures can be expected in the east. The eastern North Island especially sees temperatures lift up into the late twenties.

The eastern South Island will likely see highs in the mid twenties.