There’s a thunderstorm outbreak in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions. Track on rain radar and follow MetService thunderstorm warnings.

🚨⚡️A significant thunderstorm outbreak continues across #BoP. #Rotorua #Tauranga #TePuke #Kawerau

📡Rain Radar: https://t.co/sZ6VGec556

⚡️⚠️Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued by @MetService: https://t.co/7xoHnjeNiw pic.twitter.com/qgddyriDTr

— WeatherWatch.co.nz (@WeatherWatchNZ) February 16, 2023

2 types of wet weather today:
1⃣A 'normal' patchy rain band moving up the lower North Island.
2⃣Thunderstorms/downpours developing further north.
The front heading north may contribute to this instability. Heavy downpours now in #Auckland, later the #ranges of Gisborne. ⚠️#Slips pic.twitter.com/aSPMKRFsLt

— WeatherWatch.co.nz (@WeatherWatchNZ) February 15, 2023

COOL START IN THE SOUTH

Not something we have talked about in a while, cool morning temperatures.

Southerlies lie over the South Island today, moving around the back end of ex tropical cyclone Gabrielle which is now well out to the east. These southerlies combined with clear skies over the lower South Island mean it’s a cool start in the south. Lows just below 5 degrees are possible around dawn this morning.

RAIN IN THE EAST PLUS THUNDERSTORMS

Still some rain in the east to go today, Kaikoura through to Wellington and Wairarapa has the most persistent falls although that’s not to say it will be overly heavy, just heavier than elsewhere. Rain eases about Kaikoura this afternoon then further north this evening.

Also this afternoon we have showers developing for the upper North Island and about the ranges of Hawkes Bay / Gisborne, these showers will become heavy in spots with thunderstorms then easing later today. These showers could cause issues in isolated areas due to the ground being water logged, check out today’s thunderstorm outlook from Metservice here and the rain radars to track where showers are forming and moving too.

HIGH MOVES IN FRIDAY / SATURDAY

The conclusion to ex tropical cyclone Gabrielle really comes to an end as a high pressure system moves in from Friday bringing settled weather. There will still be a few showers about but overall mainly settled.

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