Thunderstorms in store for West Coast

Thunderstorms, heavy rain and gale force winds are likely to hit the South Island's West Coast this weekend.

WeatherWatch.co.nz analyst Richard Green said the West Coast could be in for a "hammering" at times over the next two to three days.

It comes less than a week after torrential rain caused flash flooding on the South Island, where the Nelson region received the second highest rainfall ever recorded in one hour with 104mm.

"It perhaps hasn't been this full on since the beginning of the year," Mr Green said.

"It might be more across southern areas of the coast rather than the entire coastline.

"The other noticeable factor is that this time last week temperatures were struggling to hit double figures as well but that's changed over the last couple of days and we're back up above normal in places over southern and eastern areas of the Mainland."

Other areas across the country could also see showers from time to time but they were looking more scattered on the whole with extended dry and sunny breaks more predominant, especially over eastern areas, Mr Green said.

Meanwhile, Anzac Day temperatures were average or above normal for most of the country, he said.