Issued at 8:00am 5/06/2026

Valid from 8:00am 5/06/2026 to Midnight 5/06/2026

An unstable northwest flow covers New Zealand today, with embedded fronts bringing periods of heavy rain and thunderstorms to many northern and central areas. Severe Weather Watches and Warnings are in force for heavy rain in some areas. For more detail, see https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home. For Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Coromandel Peninsula, there is a moderate risk of thunderstorms from about mid afternoon, producing heavy rain of 10-25mm/h, strong wind gusts of 100km/h, and a low risk of a small tornado. Additionally, there is a moderate risk of localised downpours of 25-40mm/h for a time in the afternoon or evening, which could occur with or without thunderstorms. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued to cover this downpour risk. For Bay of Plenty and Rotorua, there is a moderate risk of thunderstorms from this evening, with heavy rain of 10-25mm/h. strong wind gusts of 100km/h and possibly a small tornado. There is also a low risk a few of the thunderstorms could be severe, with localised downpours of 25-40mm/h. For Waitomo, Taumarunui and Taupo, there is a moderate risk of thunderstorms from this afternoon with localised heavy rain of 25-40mm/h. For Taranaki, there is a moderate risk of thunderstorms for most of today, with heavy rain of 10-25mm/h, hail of 10-20mm diameter from afternoon, strong wind gust of 100km/h and possibly a small tornado. There is also a low risk a few of the thunderstorms could be severe this afternoon and evening, with localised downpours of 25-40mm/h. From Whanganui to Wellington, and for northern Marlborough, Nelson/Tasman, Buller and Grey, there is a moderate risk of thunderstorms through much of the day, but mainly from late afternoon over the southwest North Island. These thunderstorms will produce localised heavy rain of 10-25mm/h, and possibly some small hail. For Westland, there is a moderate risk of thunderstorms this morning, with localised heavy rain of 10-25mm/h and hail of 5-10mm diameter. A low risk of thunderstorms covers many other northern and western areas as indicated on the chart.

Issued at 7:28pm 5/06/2026

Valid from Midnight 5/06/2026 to Midday 6/06/2026

A front moves off to the east of the North Island in the early morning, followed by an unstable showery westerly flow. For eastern Bay of Plenty, there is a moderate risk of thunderstorms embedded within broader areas of rain before dawn, with rainfall rates of 10-25 mm/h (or possibly a little higher) and gusts of 90-110 km/h. For western North Island coastal areas from Northland to Taranaki, also Horowhenua and Kapiti, there is a moderate risk of a few thunderstorms through most of the morning, with brief heavy rain of 5-15 mm/h and hail of 5-15 mm diameter. A low risk covers many other northern and western North Island areas, and northwestern South Island areas, as indicated on the chart. There is a minimal risk of thunderstorms or significant convection over other parts of New Zealand on Saturday morning.

Issued at 7:32pm 5/06/2026

Valid from Midday 6/06/2026 to Midnight 6/06/2026

An unstable westerly flow covers the North Island during the second half of Saturday, while a front brings a southerly change to central New Zealand. There is a moderate risk of a few thunderstorms about western North Island areas from coastal Waitomo to Kapiti during the afternoon and early evening, with brief heavy rain of 5-15 mm/h and hail of 5-10 mm diameter. There is also a moderate risk of a few thunderstorms about Marlborough and eastern parts of Nelson (including Nelson city) for a time in the afternoon with brief heavy rain of 5-15 mm and hail of 5-15 mm diameter. A low risk of thunderstorms covers many other western North Island and northern South Island areas in the afternoon and evening. Further south, a cold unstable southwest flow spreads over the South Island later in the day, bringing a low risk of a few thunderstorms with hail to Fiordland, Southland and Clutha from evening, and coastal Grey, Buller, and southern Canterbury, at night. Also, although not depicted on the chart, there is a moderate risk of a few thunderstorms at the Chatham Islands around midday Saturday. There is a minimal risk of thunderstorms or significant convection over other parts of New Zealand during this period.