Here’s what is making the weather headlines today.

THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON

Some cold upper air lies over New Zealand today especially the South Island, relatively good surface moisture exists and winds are converging. This leads to a chance of unstable conditions and thunderstorms this afternoon for both Islands. Upper level wind shear is strong over North Canterbury so this could throw up a small twisty surprise perhaps.

A chance of hail exists with any storms for the South Island also, mainly about Canterbury, starting out around midday for South and Mid Canterbury then progressing further north into North Canterbury during this afternoon.

Keep an eye out on today’s thunderstorm risks from Metservice here.

HEAVY RAIN EAST CAPE / EASTERN BOP

Expect heavy rain from a slow moving front for East Cape and eastern Bay Of Plenty today, this rain will start to ease from this afternoon.

Metservice has warnings out on this rain, check them out here.

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SPELL IN THE WEATHER ON TUESDAY

There is a pause in the weather on Tuesday with a ridge of high pressure for a time, most regions have a good day. A few morning showers clear Hawkes Bay through to Gisborne and the West Coast gets one or two.

Later in the evening a front pushing in from the west starts to bring heavy rain into Fiordland then this rain pushes northwards along the West Coast overnight.