A low from the Tasman sea is passing around the Cook Strait area this afternoon. The frontal systems associated with the low will bring showery rain with some isolated thunderstorms mainly to the western North Island.

Thunderstorms occurred in/around Taranaki early this morning and some are still going now. Heavy rain accumulation is expected in the northern side of Taranaki until the evening. The area of rain will spread over most parts of the North Island until afternoon. Severe thunderstorms may be involved but look to be very isolated if they do form.

As the low pressure centre passes through, a period of moderate to heavy rain around Cook Strait,
including Wellington, is likely during the afternoon and may also brush the upper South Island for a time.

After the passage, a remnant of the low pressure system will stay to the west of Taranaki, bringing showery rain
to the west side of the North Island until Tuesday morning, then will drift further north of the country this week.

In Marlborough and Canterbury, strong southerly winds will bring rain and snow later today or tonightt. Some snow accumulation over the Kaikoura ranges is expected.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz