A new system will be approaching New Zealand today.  This will spread showers across parts of the country and some thunderstorms are not out of the question.

For the North Island, the day will start out settled for most areas.  During the afternoon, a few showers could pop up about Taranaki, Wellington and the Kapiti Coast.  By evening, there will be a better chance for showers from the western Waikato, south to Taranaki and then west to the Kapiti Coast and Wellington.

On the South Island, showers have already been falling along the West Coast early this morning.  That will likely continue throughout the day.  Showers are also expected about Nelson during the morning hours.  During the afternoon, showers may begin to pop up over the deep south and eastern Otago.

During the late afternoon and early evening, rain is expected to become widespread about the lower half of the South Island.  Some thunderstorms are also possible about the Catlins, through Clutha, Dunedin, eastern Otago and into the Canterbury Plains and foothills.  If thunderstorms do develop, they would likely be accompanied by brief heavy rain, hail and gusty winds.

Government forecast MetService has issued a thunderstorm risk area for those regions for tomorrow afternoon.

WeatherWatch.co.nz