Issued at 7:32am 23/07/2026

Valid from 7:32am 23/07/2026 to Midnight 23/07/2026

A front moves over the South Island this afternoon and evening (Thursday), followed by a series of troughs, the first reaching Fiordland and Stewart Island during the late afternoon or early evening. Over Fiordland and parts of Stewart Island, there is a moderate risk of thunderstorms, both with the first front which could bring heavy rain of 10 to 25 mm/h and strong wind gusts of 90 km/h, and with the second trough which is likely to be accompanied by small hail, but less intense rain and winds. There is a moderate risk of thunderstorms over Westland south of Hokitika during the evening and night (although south of Haast the moderate risk may be closer to late afternoon), bringing heavy rain of 10 to 25 mm/h and strong wind gusts of 90 km/h. A broader low risk extends farther north and east as indicated on the chart. Elsewhere over New Zealand, there is minimal risk of thunderstorms or severe convection during this period.

Issued at 7:25pm 23/07/2026

Valid from Midnight 23/07/2026 to Midday 24/07/2026

A front moves north over the upper South Island during the morning to approach Wellington and Taranaki by midday. A following trough moves through Westland, with a third front reaching southern Fiordland and Stewart Island. There is a moderate risk of thunderstorms about northern Westland and Grey, moving into Buller and the top end of Tasman and D'Urville Island during the morning, bringing localised heavy rain of 10 to 25 mm/h and gusts of 90 km/h. Small tornados are also possible. In addition there is a moderate risk of thunderstorms about Fiordland and Stewart Island bringing localised heavy rain of 10 to 15 mm/hr and small hail. There is a broader low risk extending further east and north as indicated on the chart. Elsewhere over New Zealand, there is minimal risk of thunderstorms or severe convection during this period.

Issued at 10:31am 23/07/2026

Valid from Midday 24/07/2026 to Midnight 24/07/2026

The leading front moves east over the North Island to reach eastern Bay of Plenty at midnight, followed the second trough which passes over the upper South Island approaching Taranaki at midnight. The third front moves a cold southwest change over the lower South Island. There is a moderate risk of thunderstorms about northern Westland, Grey and Buller at first, which spreads over the west coast of the North Island from Taranaki through to Northland during the afternoon and evening, reaching Great Barrier Island at night. These thunderstorms bring the risk of localised heavy rain of 10 to 15 mm/hr, but to 25 mm/hr over North Island areas, with gusts to 90 km/h and small tornadoes possible. There is a broader low risk area covering remaining southern and western parts of the South Island, also western and northern parts of the North Island as indicated on the chart. Elsewhere over New Zealand, there is a minimal risk of thunderstorms or severe convection during the period.