A very unsettled day is expected for most of the country on this Mother’s Day 2012.

Showers have already been affecting the southern and western South Island this morning.  More showers are expected for these areas as the day wears on.  There is also a chance for some thunderstorms for the West Coast.  This type of set up has produced damaging squalls in the past as well as isolated tornadoes.  This is something we will be watching very carefully today.

There is also a chance for thunderstorms, and possibly isolated tornadoes, for Taranaki where heavy rain is also a concern.  Government forecaster MetService has posted a Heavy Rain Warning effective this morning through Monday evening.

The rest of the North Island should see some dry conditions early today.  Rain is expected to move in for this afternoon.

Most of the South Island will also see precipitation today.

In fact, about the only areas that should be rain-free today are Gisborne/East Cape and Christchurch.  Hawkes Bay will likely spend the better part of today with fairly dry conditions, but rain is expected to move in by sunset.

By WeatherWatch Analyst Howard Joseph