Issued at 8:01am 12/03/2026

Valid from 8:01am 12/03/2026 to 1:00am 13/03/2026

During Thursday, a very humid airmass moves southwards across the upper North Island, bringing rain and strong easterly winds. For Northland, there is a low risk this afternoon and evening of embedded thunderstorms with heavy rain and strong winds. This risk extends across Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula and western Bay of Plenty through the evening and at night. There is also a low risk of localised downpours of 25 to 40 mm/hr. Late evening, a front moves onto Fiordland, accompanied by heavy rain and strong northerlies. There's a low risk of embedded thunderstorms there at night. There is minimal risk of thunderstorms or significant convection elsewhere during this period.

Issued at 8:43pm 12/03/2026

Valid from 1:00am 13/03/2026 to 1:00pm 13/03/2026

During the first half of Friday, a very humid airmass spreads farther south to cover both the North Island and upper South Island. Rain or showers continue to affect parts of the North Island, with a low risk of thunderstorms as indicated on the chart. Over the South Island, a front weakens over Fiordland, but there is a low risk of a few thunderstorms before dawn. From Westland to Marlborough Sounds, there is a low risk of thunderstorms for the whole period. There is minimal risk of thunderstorms or significant convection elsewhere during this period.

Issued at 10:05am 12/03/2026

Valid from 1:00pm 13/03/2026 to 1:00am 14/03/2026

Very humid air continues to stream down across northern and central New Zealand during the second half of Friday. Over the North Island and upper South Island, daytime heating and wind convergence are likely to trigger heavy showers, and there is a moderate risk of thunderstorms with heavy rain 10 to 25 mm/h from Northland to the Tararua Range and over the South Island from Grey District to Marlborough Sounds. In these areas there is also a low risk of localised downpours of 25 to 40 mm/h. A cooler southwest change moves over the lower South Island during the afternoon and evening, and there is a moderate risk of thunderstorms ahead of the change for Dunedin and Clutha, and with the change over Fiordland. A low risk area also covers parts of Southland. No thunderstorms or significant convection expected elsewhere during this period.