Spring storms bring hail and thunder

Photo / Glenn Taylor

The country is being pounded by stormy weather as a spring storm brings a cold air mass, forecasters say.

"Most of the county has had plenty of heavy showers and also thunderstorms and hail," MetService meteorologist Mariken van Laanen said.

The wintry blast will ease slightly tomorrow, but there was still a chance of thunderstorms and heavy showers for most of the North Island and the top of the South Island, she said.

WeatherWatch.co.nz analyst Philip Duncan said Auckland would be hit hard today by the storm that had moved in from the Tasman.

Heavy showers, hail and thunder were due to hammer the region, he said.

"However due to the fast moving nature of these showers, the risks for serious flooding are minimised.

"Localised flash and minor surface flooding are more likely," Mr Duncan said.

Winds from the west would rise to gale force at times and might be damaging. Isolated power cuts were possible, he said.

Ms van Laanen said by the storms would continue until Saturday, with fine weather not expected to return until Sunday.

"Saturday we're looking at rain for most of the country, especially in the western areas.

"It's looking a bit better for Sunday," she said.

Forecast for the next few days:

* Whangarei

Tomorrow: Showers, some heavy, chance thunder/hail. Gusty south westerlies. High 17C, low 12C;

Friday: Showers gradually clearing. Westerlies easing. High 19C, low 11C;

Saturday: Rain develops, easing late. Northwest turns southwest. High 21C, low 12C.

* Auckland

Tomorrow: Showers, some heavy, chance thunder/hail. Gusty south westerlies. High 16C, low 12C;

Friday: Showers gradually clearing. Westerlies easing. High 17C, low 13C;

Saturday: Rain develops, easing late. Northwest turns southwest. High 19C, low 13C.

* Hamilton

Tomorrow: Few showers, some heavy, chance thunder, eases evening. South westerlies. High 16C, low 8C ;

Friday: Cloudy periods, few early showers. Southwest eases. High 18C, low 9C;

Saturday: North westerlies, with rain developing. Late south westerly showers. High 18C, low 9C.

* Tauranga

Tomorrow: Showers easing morning, then mainly fine. Gusty south westerlies. High 18C, low 9C;

Friday: Mainly fine, cloud increasing night. Westerlies. High 19C, low 10C;

Saturday: Cloudy, period of rain. Northwest, turns southwest late. High 19C, low 10C.

* Wellington

Tomorrow: Fine spells and a few showers. Southerlies. High 15C, low 9C;

Friday: Fine spells, few early showers. Northerly developing. High 15C, low 11C;

Saturday: Rain developing. Northerlies, strong or gale at times. High 17C, low 10C.

* Christchurch

Tomorrow: Fine spells, possible shower or two. Cold southerlies. High 15C, low 10C;

Friday: Becoming fine, high cloud later. Gusty north westerlies developing. High 18C, low 9C;

Saturday: Brief rain. Gusty northwest dying away. High 18C, low 4C.

* Dunedin

Tomorrow: Occasional showers, easing evening. Strong cold south westerlies. High 11C, low 8C;

Friday: Becoming fine, high cloud later. Gusty north westerlies developing. High 17C, low 9C;

Saturday: Gusty north westerlies, brief rain, then southwest and a few showers. High 16C, low 7C.

(source: MetService)