Some parts of Taranaki are getting a drenching this morning. A line of rain and showers has been crossing the region with localised heavy falls for the past couple of hours.

The current burst of downpours should ease into the afternoon – but more rain or showers are likely in Taranaki and other western areas today and tonight before clearing overnight.

Nelson region, Taranaki, Waitomo and King Country are all exposed to heavy isolated downpours this morning and afternoon. There may be plenty of dry sunny spells in between for some areas too.

Tonight these downpours merge somewhat over the northern half of the North Island affecting regions like Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Coromandel Peninsula and Northland – with a mix of drizzle, dry spells and isolated heavier downpours. It generally all eases overnight as a cooler sou’west change moves in.

There may be a few isolated thunderstorms as a result of the warm/cool change moving through.

View the free and live lightning tracker here.

Image / Latest rain radar via MS, courtesy of the NZ Govt.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz