WeatherWatch.co.nz forecasters say conditions are looking fairly promising for heavy afternoon showers and possibly thunderstorms across inland parts of both islands on Thursday, especially the central North Island.

Sea breezes and afternoon heating will work to build some big clouds over inland areas with a 70% chance of heavy showers across many inland areas, especially near the ranges.  Not all areas will receive showers but there is generally a moderate to high risk of shower activity.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says the heavy downpours, following heavy rain and showers over the past few day, could lead to surface and even flash flooding but stresses any flooding would likely be very localised.

While South Island showers and isolated thunderstorms are likely, WeatherWatch.co.nz maintains most will still be inland around the ranges and not near populated places.

In the North Island it will be a similar case, with the hot spots for thunderstorms being around Central Plateau but also spreading north to Waikato and the Auckland ranges.

The Hunua, Bombay and Waitakere ranges have seen some big afternoon/early evening showers over the past few days too, as have parts of Waikato, Coromandel Peninsula and Bay of Plenty.

The rain maps at WeatherWatch.co.nz show the highest risk areas are Waikato to Bay of Plenty and south to Central Plateau on Thursday, also along the Southern Alps.

MetService says they have low to moderate risk for thunder in similar areas on Thursday too.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz