The winter weather is coming for New Zealand, with MetService warning of thunderstorms for large parts of the country over the next 48 hours.
MetService said there is a moderate risk of thunderstorms on Thursday afternoon and evening from Waitomo to the Kapiti Coast, the Marlborough Sounds and the remainder of Nelson.
"These storms will be accompanied by heavy rain with intensities of 10 to 20 mm/h, hail and strong wind gusts of 90 to 110 km/h," MetService said.
"There is also a low risk of severe thunderstorms producing damaging wind gusts greater than 110 km/h in strength."
MetService warned of a high risk of thunderstorms from Nelson down to Fiordland, including southern Southland.
The forecaster said the thunderstorms could bring heavy rain up to 20mm/h, strong wind up to 110kmph and even hail.
The wild weather has been hitting large parts of the country with MetService saying there have been 849 lighting strikes on Thursday morning.
They also warned of large swells up to 6m that could hit the South Island over the next 24 hours.
"Large swell waves and dangerous coastal conditions are expected in the western marine areas of both the North and South Island from Thursday," MetService said.
MetService has also issued rain and wind warnings and watches for most of the South Island and parts of the North Island.
North Island
Northland could see periods of heavy rain on Thursday with a watch issued by MetService while Budget day in the capital will bring gales with a strong wind watch in place.
A heavy rain watch is in place for Bay Of Plenty east of Opotiki from 9am to 8pm on Thursday, which could bring up to 90mm of rain.
South Island
A heavy rain warning is in place for Westland south of Otira and Fiordland on Thursday, which could bring up to 60mm of rain.
Large parts of the South Island are expected to see heavy rain and strong wind on Thursday with watches in place by MetService.
MetService has also issued a road snowfall warning for State Highway 94 on Milford Road and Crown Range Road.
