There’s a risk of thunderstorms across New Zealand as the low that yesterday brought rough weather to Auckland reaches the south of the South Island.

See our live and free lightning tracker here.

Government forecaster MetService says unstable conditions are likely in many places.

“In Northland, a moderate risk for thunderstorms is forecast for the afternoon and this increases to high in the evening. Thunderstorms here are likely to be accompanied by locallised heavy rainfall, which could reach 20mm/hr during the afternoon and 25mm/hr, or possibly more, in the evening” says MetService.

Strong winds are likely to be experienced near the thunderstorms that occur in the evening. A low risk of thunderstorms spreads south in the evening (see chart), affecting parts of the Coromandel Peninsula, Auckland, Waikato, Waitomo and Taranaki.

“A moderate risk of thunderstorms also exists for the west coast of the South Island north of Haast, although the risk reduces north of Westport around evening. At night, northern Taranaki also experiences a moderate risk of thunderstorms. In these storms there is likely to be localised heavy rain with intensities of 10 to 20mm/hr. “

In Central Hawkes Bay and over the plains of Wairarapa, there is likely to be sunny period between the fronts moving over the North Island. There is a low risk that the heating during this period could cause thunderstorms to develop.