Storm clouds are gathering over Hawke's Bay. Photo/File
Storm clouds are gathering over Hawke's Bay. Photo/File
Thunderstorms are on the way for Hawke's Bay today - but the rain won't stick around for long.
MetService meteorologist Amanda De Monte said the thunderstorms will mainly affect northern Hawke's Bay.
"We have moderate to high risk of seeing some thunderstorms - and potentially some severe thunderstorms - mainly about the northern Hawke's Bay from [this] afternoon through to the evening hours," Ms De Monte said.
The risk of thunderstorms reaching southern Hawke's Bay was moderate.
"Those are our major concerns ... those are associated with a front that's slowly moving its way up the country.
"Right now we're already starting to see some showers about the ranges but for the most part the bulk of those showers won't reach the Hawke's Bay until late afternoon/evening," Ms De Monte said.
A total of 10-25mm of rain was expected to fall outside areas that receive thunderstorms.
Downpours could be 25-40mm an hour in parts that see thunderstorms.
In November this year Napier received only 12mm of rain - the monthly average is about 53mm.
"Even with the rainfall expected in the next 24 hours all in all we're still looking to have quite a dry month."
Rain is coming. Photo/File
The weekend is looking fine across the Bay, with blue skies and light winds expected and temperatures set to hit highs of 22C to 24C in Napier and Hastings.
Wairoa is pick of the bunch for Sunday, where it is forecast to reach 25C with sunshine and light winds.
MetService has just released its monthly rural outlook, which said low to modest rainfall was expected before Christmas nationwide.
Niwa's long-term outlook for the summer predicted above-average temperatures and normal or near-normal rainfall for the Hawke's Bay region.
Although Hawke's Bay has been dry in recent weeks, some parts of the country have fared worse. Christchurch had a record dry spell, with 47 days of no rain.
