Updated 8:43pm — Some parts of New Zealand are getting a soaking tonight thanks to bands of rain wrapped around the tail ends of ex-cyclone Sandra says WeatherWatch.co.nz.

“Humid conditions in the wake of Sandra and a cooler Autumnal change are combining to produce some heavy showers over the western North Island tonight, some torrential with thunder” says head weather analyst Philip Duncan.

“The great part is that it’s producing good soaking rains to parts of the country that missed the rain yesterday, like Manawatu and parts of Hawkes Bay”.

Mr Duncan says more heavy showers are lining up tonight between Greymouth and Auckland and many will spillover into eastern areas too.

View the live lightning tracker here

Mr Duncan says some of the downpours will be torrential which “isn’t ideal” during a drought.  “The water can fall too fast on to bone dry dirt and then it not only runs straight off into the waterways but it can take the topsoil with it”.

Further heavy showers with thunder could affect the western North Island overnight at various times but some parts will miss out completely – adding to more frustration for farmers with heavy rain so close by.

Earlier today Philip Duncan told Radio Sport’s Farming Show that one signifcant positive change in the weather pattern is that showers are predicted for at least one region every day this week – something that hasn’t been happening much this year.

Mr Duncan says there is the risk of an isolated small tornado tonight related to the more severe thunderstorms but says the risk is generally “low”.

Between 6pm and 7pm the Lightning Tracker at WeatherWatch.co.nz had detected over 100 lightning flashes, mostly around the Taranaki coastline.

People should remain indoors if they hear thunder and stay away from waterways.

“There is a lot to be happy about tonight, we have rain falling across a big chunk of central New Zealand and heavy showers across the western North Island.  We’re advising motorists to drive with extra care to help keep this news good news” says Mr Duncan.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz