Issued at 4:10pm 23/01/2026

Valid from 4:10pm 23/01/2026 to 1:00am 24/01/2026

An unstable west to southwest flow spreads across southern and central New Zealand today. A broad moderate risk of thunderstorms spreads northwards from northern parts of Central Otago and Canterbury to Marlborough and Nelson Lakes this afternoon and evening, with localised heavy rain and hail. In addition, there is a moderate risk of SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS this afternoon and evening over inland and northern Canterbury, with localised downpours of 25 to 40 mm/h and large hail in excess of 2 cm in diameter. A low risk of thunderstorms also extends over southern parts of Central Otago and the Queenstown Lakes District, North Otago and northern Westland. A couple of troughs move across the northwest of the South Island today, with a moderate risk of thunderstorms for Grey, Buller and parts of Tasman this afternoon and again tonight. These thunderstorms may produce brief heavy rain and hail, and a slight chance of a small coastal tornado. For the North Island, there is mostly a low risk of thunderstorms this afternoon, this evening and at night from Waitomo to Kapiti, apart from in Whanganui where there is a low risk of thunderstorms this afternoon. These thunderstorms could bring localised heavy rain of 10 to 20 mm/h. No thunderstorms or severe convection expected over the remainder of New Zealand.

Issued at 8:58pm 23/01/2026

Valid from 1:00am 24/01/2026 to 1:00pm 24/01/2026

Unstable west to southwest conditions spread across central and northern parts of New Zealand during the period, with a broad low risk of thunderstorms from the far north of Canterbury and Buller northwards. However, the risk of thunderstorms is considered moderate before dawn and during the morning from Waikato to the Kaikoura Coast, and in Auckland from mid to late morning as depicted on the chart. These thunderstorms are likely to bring heavy rain and small hail, and strong wind gusts of 100 km/h. Note, there is also a low risk of localised downpours on a southerly change from the Kaikoura Coast to Wellington and Wairarapa early morning. No thunderstorms or severe convection expected over the remainder of New Zealand.

Issued at 9:09pm 23/01/2026

Valid from 1:00pm 24/01/2026 to 1:00am 25/01/2026

Unstable west to southwesterlies persist across central and northern New Zealand, slowly easing at night. There is a broad low risk of thunderstorms over the North Island and far north of the South Island through the period. However, the risk of thunderstorms is considered moderate from Auckland to Taranaki and across to Taupo, Bay of Plenty and Gisborne during the afternoon, and about southern and eastern Wairarapa in the early afternoon. These thunderstorms are likely to bring brief heavy rain of 10 to 15 mm/h, small hail, and strong wind gusts of 100 km/h. No thunderstorms or severe convection expected over the remainder of New Zealand.