Weather: Thunderstorms likely, tornadoes possible

Respite from the wintry weather is not getting any closer.

Torrential rain is forecast to pelt parts of the North Island on Sunday, and snow is lingering in the south. 

MetService meteorologist Sarah Haddon says it's not going away any time soon:.

"The afternoon seems to be the most likely time when there could be some really severe thunderstorms - especially in Waitomo, Taranaki, Waikato type areas, and coastal areas."

The low-pressure system causing the bad weather is forecast to hang around into next week. 

WeatherWatch said there are a "lot of moving parts" to contend with.

"A deepening large low in the Tasman Sea continues to push over New Zealand bringing rain, showers and isolated thunderstorms to the western North Island and more snow for the Southern Alps (although less than yesterday)," WeatherWatch said on its site. 

"Winds pick up over the upper North Island while winds are fairly light in the south as the centre of the Tasman Sea low starts to transfer across the island and over into the Pacific Ocean side."

Heavy rain warnings are in place from MetService for the Tararua Ranges and the Canterbury Plains, and heavy snow is expected in Canterbury south of the Rangitata River, in northern Otago and Dunedin.

"This weather system is forecast to bring rain and squally thunderstorms to many parts of the country."

There's a "moderate risk" of thunderstorms for "most of the North Island" too, as well as the Marlborough Sounds, northwest Nelson, northern Westland and Buller.

"If these severe thunderstorms occur they could bring localised downpours of 25 to 35mm per hour, large hail or large accumulations of hail, damaging winds gusting greater than 110 km/h. There is also the possibility of small localised tornadoes, mainly near the coast."

Newshub.