Thunderstorms are rattling across Manawatu and Horowhenua this afternoon as more rough weather continues to affect New Zealand.

The thunderstorms, which are now pushing through the Tararua Ranges, moved through in the past 30 minutes according to our Palmerston North reporter Richard Dryden.

Mr Dryden says the rain has now eased but the thunder can still be heard and it’s very warm with no wind.

Meanwhile WeatherWatch.co.nz reader Andrew Blair of Levin says they’ve just received a torrential downpour.  “Major downpour in Levin for about 5 minutes, couple claps of thunder now beautiful blue sky”.

This photo, taken by Mr Blair, shows minor surface flooding following the deluge in Levin.

Jerome Smith-Pula told WeatherWatch.co.nz’s Facebook page “We just had a brief thunderstorm, the clouds are lumpy as… they look meeean”.

Heavy showers are currently pushing back into Taranaki and WeatherWatch.co.nz maintains there’s a risk of thunderstorms and squalls for the region until Sunday morning.

Heavy showers in the upper North Island have remained mostly just offshore to the west allowing lawnmowers to be cranked up in Auckland and washing hung out on the line across many northern regions.

It’s possible another band of heavy showers could move in this evening and overnight however WeatherWatch.co.nz says the worst has now passed.

Heavy rain across eastern parts of the North Island is also now easing.

However it’s now the South Island’s turn for heavy rain, with the main front pushing into Canterbury although it’s already showing signs of clearing in the north. 

Heavy rain is likely to move into Southland and Otago and hang around into Sunday too, while clearing weather continues in the northern and eastern parts of the North Island.

The lower, western side of the North Island will have further showers tomorrow as the centre of the low moves through – winds are also likely to pick up.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz