Central New Zealand will be the target for thunderstorms this morning.  Lighting tracker continues to show strikes offshore, west of Nelson north to west of Tarankai.  That includes strikes showing up along the Kapiti Coast.

Look for showers and possible thunderstorms this morning just of Wellington to Dannevirke.  There is also a chance for thunderstorms about Neslon.

Strong winds and small hail could accompany these thunderstorms.

Windy conditions are also expected across much of the country, with or without thunderstorms.  However the severe gales seen yesterday are not expected today.

Heavy rain is also a threat today, with or without thunderstorms.  Government forecaster MetService has warnings for heavy rain in effect for Westland south of Otira, the headwaters of the Otago and Canterbury lakes and rivers, the ranges of Nelson, Buller and Westland, the Tararua Range and Mt. Taranaki.

A Heavy Rain Warning is also still in effect for the central North Island high country from inland Taranaki across to Mt. Ruahpehu and up to southern Waikato, including the headwaters of the Whanganui River.

Homepage image/ Zelda Wynn

By WeatherWatch.co.nz Analyst Howard Joseph