Rain and thunder are the watchwords to start October – as we have both in different places on Thursday.

Rain on the West Coast of the South Island may contain heavy falls during the day, then easing in the evening as northwesterlies change west to southwest, there’s even the chance of a thunderstorm.
While rain will be heavy in areas, it won’t be anything spectacular for seasoned coasters – but still something to watch.

Northwesterly winds through Cook Strait are strong from midday, with a chance winds may gust to gale at times – then easing later in the evening and dying off overnight.

Coastal Otago sees a southwest change move through late afternoon, bringing showers, and there is the chance one or two of these could contain thunderstorms – easing later in the evening.

– Aaron Wilkinson & Drew Chappell, WeatherWatch.co.nz

– Photo: Chris Johnson