Weather: Possible thunderstorms for most of NZ

  • 19/08/2015
(Photo: iStock)
(Photo: iStock)

Two major fronts will bring heavy rain to most of the country today, with severe weather warnings and possible thunderstorms on the radar for this afternoon.

An active front, which has been sitting over the west of the North Island this morning, brings a moderate risk of thunderstorms to north Taranaki, Waikato, Auckland, Northland, the Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty and northern Gisborne.

This weather has the potential to bring heavy rain and possible hail, along with wind gusts up to 100 km/h.

Other regions can expect to get wet also, but not to the same extent.

The South Island is in the same boat, with another active cold front moving from Southland areas to the west by midnight. This weather could also include possible thunderstorms, with the chance of heavy rain and strong winds.

This front is expected to move north of the South Island as we wake up tomorrow, getting up to the central North Island by lunchtime and losing severity as it goes.

Despite the sombre weather ahead, MetService meteorologist Rob Kerr says the country can expect a fine weekend, making up for the wet week so far.

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