Afternoon cloud build ups produced widespread showers across the upper North Island on Thursday bringing relief to farmers and gardeners desperate for rain.

Hamilton received a significant deluge yesterday afternoon – which was welcome by many as the city missed most rain from Lusi last month.

Heavy showers in Auckland eventuated – but were more widespread than we first thought as the shower zone drifted over the central city. Showers were slow moving which lead to localised areas of surface flooding.

A funnel cloud was also spotted near a thunderstorm in rural parts near Auckland Airport.

“My veg garden in Papatoetoe is getting a good drink right now” Diana Foster told WeatherWatch.co.nz’s Facebook page last night.

“We’ve had rain off and on in Thames all day even some heavy showers it has been bliss” wrote Chrisi Teaz.

The downpours were hit and miss – as is often the case with afternoon showers like this.  

Rainfall amounts varied but most people agree more rain is needed to reverse the big dry – but certainly the downpours in Auckland and parts of Waikato and Bay of Plenty were very welcome on Thursday.

Little to no rain fell in Manawatu yesterday – another drought-like region at the moment.  A few showers are forecast this weekend or early next week – but nothing significant is expected.

– Homepage image / Chris Johnson

– WeatherWatch.co.nz