Here’s what is making the weather headlines today….

THUNDERSTORMS AND HEAVY RAIN LAST NIGHT – WEST COAST

There was plenty of heavy rain and thunderstorm activity last night for the West Coast of the South Island as a cold front moved northwards.

You can see in the radar image below the line of heavy showers / rain which marks the front extending out into the Tasman Sea, this brought the thunderstorms. There were also a few thunderstorms ahead of the front

Flashes of lightning could be seen in Christchurch looking towards the Alps late yesterday evening. There was also warm temperatures in the east last night, Christchurch was in the late teens approaching midnight which is very warm for the time of year.

Strong north to northwesterly winds developed in the east during the evening ahead of this front, winds would have been strongest inland where there would have been gales.

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There is a chance that this cold front may deliver a rumble or two to the western North Island this morning and afternoon as it moves through, the risk isn’t as great as it was last night for the West Coast but the chance is there.

SNOW OUTLOOK – NEXT FIVE DAYS

Yes there will be snow on the way with the coming system starting out from Sunday. Most of it will be higher up so the ski fields should benefit well while leaving lower levels alone.

The second half of Sunday and first half of Monday may see snow about the lower half of the South Island (south of around Banks Peninsula) down to 500m though, perhaps even 400m early on Monday (more so in the far south). Monday afternoon on wards sees the level lift to 800m by evening.

Any snow warnings in the coming days will be displayed by Metservice here.

FAIR AMOUNT OF RAIN ON THE WAY

With this unsettled period starting from Sunday there will be a decent amount of rain on the way, especially the South Island inland about the Main Divide.

Sunday will be a day where the heavy rain favours the western side of the divide then Monday on wards the eastern side will get the heavy stuff, this will be of concern for rivers in the east which will likely rise.

The map below is an accumulative rainfall total map running from today through to Wednesday 7th June. The western North Island gets a shot of heavy rain as a front moves over later on Sunday 4th June.

Thursday (8th June) on wards for the North Island may see heavy rain drive into eastern regions (Gisborne to Wairarapa) and north of Auckland in a southeasterly airflow. More on this as we move forward.

If rain looks like it may reach warning criteria then Metservice will issue a watch this weekend of early next week, once more confidence is achieved then this will be upgraded to a warning if need be. More here.

For further details on the upcoming unsettled weather please check out our daily video from Philip Duncan to be released later this morning.