A severe thunderstorm warning is in place for several regions in the lower North Island with very strong winds and possible tornadoes expected in the Wellington region.
It comes after a tornado tore through the Kāpiti Coast on Thursday causing widespread damage to businesses and homes.
MetService issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Horowhenua, Kāpiti Coast, Palmerston North City and the Manawatu early on Friday morning. The forecaster warns strong winds from the storm could break branches from trees, damage roofs and make driving hazardous.
"At 6:30 am, MetService weather radar detected a line of severe thunderstorms lying from offshore Kāpiti Coast to Kāpiti Island to the southern Tararua Ranges," the forecaster said.
If you have any videos or photos of the wild weather, please send them to news@newshub.co.nz
"This line of severe thunderstorms is moving towards the north/northeast and is expected to lie from offshore Manawatu to the norther Tararua Ranges at 7am and from offshore Manawatu to Tangimoana to Tokomaru at 7:30am."
Metservice said the storms will bring very heavy rain, damaging wind gusts and possible tornadoes.
The National Emergency Management Agency is advising locals to prepare for the storm by taking shelter, getting back to land if on the water, moving cars under cover or away from trees, securing any loose objects around their properties, checking drains and gutters and taking care when driving.
People also need to beware of fallen trees and power lines and avoid streams and drains in case of flash flooding, the agency said.
What you need to know:
A severe thunderstorm warning is in place for Horowhenua, Kapiti Coast, Palmerston North City, Manawatu
Thunderstorm watches are in place for Waikato, Waitomo, Taranaki, Manawatu, Kapiti-Horowhenua, Wellington, Marlborough
A heavy snow watch is in place for central Otago, the Queenstown Lakes District and the Canterbury High Country west of Otematata and south of Mount Cook village.
These updates are now finished.
10:14am - Here is the latest warning from MetService.
Strong Wind Warning - Orange
Impact: Strong wind gusts could damage trees, powerlines and unsecured structures. Driving may be hazardous, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.
Area: Wellington, Wairarapa about and south of Featherston, and the Marlborough Sounds
Period: 6hrs from 9pm Fri, 10 Jun - 3am Sat, 11 Jun
Forecast: Another period of severe gale northwesterlies are expected tonight (Friday), with gusts reaching 120 km/h in exposed places. Please note, yet another period of severe gale northwesterlies is possible later on Saturday.
9:21am - Here are the latest thunderstorm watches from MetService.
9:17am - There have been 19,397 lightning strikes in the past 24 to 8am this morning, MetService says.
9:00am - Here are the latest severe weather warnings from MetService.
Heavy rain, severe gales, and possible heavy snow for parts of central and southern New Zealand
An unsettled north to northwest flow strengthens ahead of a cold front forecast to move across the country from the west on Friday. This front brings about a change to strong and colder westerlies.
Watches for heavy rain, and Warnings and Watches for severe gales are in force for parts of central and southern New Zealand. A Watch for heavy snow is in force for Central Otago, the Queenstown Lakes district and southern parts of the Canterbury High Country. Note that the unsettled weather is expected to continue at least until Monday, and further watches and warnings for heavy rain, severe gales and heavy snow are likely to be issued for many areas in the coming days.
In addition, severe thunderstorms are possible for some areas. Please check the latest thunderstorm outlook for more information.
People are advised to keep up to date with the latest forecasts in case any changes are made.
Strong Wind Warning - Orange
Impact: Strong wind gusts could damage trees, powerlines and unsecured structures. Driving may be hazardous, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.
Area: Wellington, Wairarapa about and south of Featherston, and the Marlborough Sounds
Period: 5hrs from 3am - 8am Fri, 10 Jun
Forecast: Severe gale northwesterlies in exposed places, with gusts reaching 120 km/h especially in squally thunderstorms. Note, another period of severe gale north to northwesterlies is possible front late Friday.
Heavy Rain Watch
Area: Westland, Buller and Nelson Lakes
Period: 24hrs from midnight Thu, 9 Jun - midnight Fri, 10 Jun
Forecast: A brief burst of heavy rain is expected overnight tonight (Thursday), then rain should pick up again from late Friday morning. Thunderstorms are also possible. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria, mainly about the ranges. The freezing level is forecast to lower to around 1200 metres in Westland on Friday, with heavy snow likely above about 900 metres, though snow may fall as low as 600 metres at times or possibly lower, especially south of the Glaciers. Note, the area has been extended to include Nelson Lakes. Also, furthers showers, some possibly heavy, are expected to continue into Saturday.
Heavy Snow Watch
Area: Central Otago, the Queenstown Lakes District and the Canterbury High Country west of Otematata and about and south of Mount Cook village
Period: 6hrs from midnight Thu, 9 Jun - 6am Fri, 10 Jun
Forecast: A brief period of heavy snow is possible above 700 metres during this time, and snow amounts may approach warning criteria above 700 metres. Please note, another period of heavy snow is possible late Friday and Saturday and this watch may get extended.
Strong Wind Watch
Area: Wairarapa north of Featherston, the Tararua District, the ranges of Hawke's Bay about and south of Te Haroto, and Taihape
Period: 10hrs from 5am - 3pm Fri, 10 Jun
Forecast: Northwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places. Note: West to northwest winds are forecast to strengthen again overnight Friday and on Saturday and this watch may get extended.
Area: Nelson, Buller, Westland, Marlborough excluding the Sounds, the Canterbury High Country, Central Otago and the Queenstown Lakes District
Period: 7hrs from 11pm Thu, 9 Jun - 6am Fri, 10 Jun
Forecast: Northerly winds may approach severe gale in exposed places. Note, another period of severe gale north to northwesterlies is possible from late Friday.
8:53am - Along with thunderstorms and rain, the country is in for some chilly temperatures today.
8:47am - Photos from Paraparaumu show the fallout of Thursday's tornado. The region, which has only just begun clearing up from yesterday's storm, is under siege from thunderstorms and wild weather again today.
8:31am - The West Coast has been slammed by wild weather, with a damaging shower a short time again producing hail larger than grapes, WeatherWatch says
A photo from the area shows holes left in someone's deck roof from the huge hail.
8:11am - Chains must be fitted before driving on the Crown Ranges.
8:01am - The Crown Ranges are blanketed in snow this morning with more expected tonight. Road snowfall watches are in place for Haast Pass, Arthur's Pass, Lindis Pass, the Crown Ranges and Milford Road.
7:56am - Kumara in the West Coast has also been hit by hail. A picture posted to Twitter shows a golf ball-sized chunk of hail.
7:47am - Metservice has extended the severe thunderstorm warning to include Horowhenua, Carterton, Tararua, Kāpiti Coast, Palmerston North City, Masterton, Upper Hutt City and South Wairarapa.
"At 07:15 am, MetService weather radar detected severe thunderstorms near Otaki, offshore Manawatu, Te Horo and the southern Tararua Ranges," Metservice said in its update.
"These severe thunderstorms are moving towards the southeast, and are expected to lie near Levin, Otaki, the southern Tararua Ranges, Hokio Beach, Waitarere, Ohau, Eketahuna and the northern Tararua Ranges at 07:45 am and near Masterton, Mauriceville, Mt Bruce, Shannon, the northern Tararua Ranges, Kopuaranga and Mikimiki at 08:15 am."
Metservice warned the thunderstorms will be accompanied by very heavy rain, damaging wind gusts, possible tornadoes and hail.
7:40am - NIWA forecaster Chris Brandolino told AM's Melissa Chan-Green today's weather is perfect for thunderstorms.
"The atmosphere is primed for thunderstorms, we have a lot of wind in the atmosphere... certainly the conditions are right for thunderstorms that can produce wind damage, whether that is from a tornado or otherwise is yet to be seen."
Brandolino said even if there are no tornados, Kiwis should brace for potential wind damage.
And he said Auckland isn't out of the woods.
"this morning over the next couple of hours... we are going to get our share of thunderstorms, gusting winds and heavy rainfall."
Down south snow is expected and even Invercargill could see a bit so snow in the air early Saturday, he said.
Brandolino said what makes this storm worse than a normal winter storm is the length. He warned even by Monday much of the country might still be in the grips of strong wind.
7:27am - Photos from Stratford in the Taranaki region show hail the size of golf balls. A local said the town was hit by heavy hail at 4:45am.
7:17am - Auckland Harbour Bridge is down to four lanes this morning as strong winds batter the region.
"The Harbour Bridge will provide 4 lanes in each direction this morning in anticipation of predicted strong wind gusts from 9am to 8pm today. Please take extra care," the New Zealand Transport Agency tweeted.
South Island
Several other severe weather watches are in place for the rest of the country including a severe thunderstorm watch in Nelson, Buller and Westland.
A heavy snow watch is also in place in Central Otago, the Queenstown Lakes District and the Canterbury High Country west of Otematata and south of Mount Cook village.
A brief period of heavy snow is possible above 700 metres early on Friday morning. Metservice warns snow amounts may approach warning criteria today. Another period of heavy snow is also possible late on Friday and Saturday.
Road snowfall watches are also in place for Haast Pass, Arthur's Pass, Lindis Pass, the Crown Ranges and Milford Road.
