Showers combined with afternoon heating are creating some big build ups across the North Island this afternoon.

Heaviest showers are building across the Waikato region and skirting Auckland too.  Showers are also pushing into Bay of Plenty, Central Plateau, Taranaki, Wanganui, Manawatu and Wairarapa.

Thunder activity has been fairly quiet today however WeatherWatch.co.nz says, generally speaking, there’s a low to moderate risk across much of the upper North Island today for a few, isolated, rumbles of thunder.

A few thunderstorms have already been detected around Waikato in the past hour.

WeatherWatch.co.nz also says there is a moderate risk of a few funnel clouds, but the chance of one becoming a tornado or waterspout is considered low.  Howevery swirling, gusty, winds may accompany some of the bigger cloud build ups this afternoon and evening.

Meanwhile much of the South Island remains dry ahead of a large front and cold change.  Rain is expected to develop overnight and tomorrow in the deep south then head northwards.

Colder air behind it could see some places 10 degrees cooler by the end of the week compared to this past weekend and the start of the week.

– Homepage image / File, David Hawke

– WeatherWatch.co.nz

What are weather conditions like where you are?  Please post your comments below – and don’t forget to tell us where you’re from!