Kiwis are being warned to brace for more severe thunderstorms on Thursday, which could bring rain, hail and even the chance of "a small tornado".
New Zealand has seen a mixed bag of weather already this summer, with rain, hail, thunder and sun highlighting this month's weather.
MetService said a thunderstorm watch, issued on Thursday between 2pm and 9pm, is in place for Waikato, Waitomo, Taumarunui, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Taupo, Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Taranaki, Taihape, Wanganui, Manawatu, Tararua, Kapiti-Horowhenua, Wairarapa.
A second severe thunderstorm watch is in place for between 1pm and 10pm, for Central Otago, Southern Lakes, Dunedin, Clutha, Southland and Fiordland.
MetService's thunderstorm outlook warned there is a high risk of thunderstorms this afternoon and evening for these areas, which could bring heavy rain and hail.
The thunderstorm outlook said there is a low risk of afternoon and evening thunderstorms over most of the country, except the far north and south of the North Island and some of the north and east of the South Island.
"For Taranaki and the waters north of Farewell Spit, there is a moderate risk of thunderstorms through the whole day, which may be accompanied by localised heavy rain with intensities of 10 to 25mm per hour, hail of 5 to 10mm diameter and the low risk of small tornadoes," the outlook said.
"About eastern Northland and Auckland, south of the Bay of Islands, there is a moderate risk of thunderstorms this afternoon and evening, accompanied by localised heavy rain of 10 to 25mm per hour, and possibly more, and small hail."
The forecaster said the worst of the weather will develop around lunchtime on Thursday.
"Thunderstorms are expected to develop around midday, and some of these may become severe from early afternoon until this evening, bringing localised downpours with intensities of 25 to 40mm per hour," MetService said.
"There is also a low chance of a small tornado forming. The thunderstorms are expected to ease this evening."
MetService warns rainfall of this intensity can cause flash flooding and slips while driving conditions could also be hazardous.
MetService severe weather forecaster John Crouch told Newshub on Wednesday more "significant thunderstorms" could be on their way.
Crouch said severe thunderstorms are likely to be localised and are expected to hit on Thursday and continue possibly into Friday.
"Tomorrow we could sort of see some fairly good storms around the central North Island and perhaps parts of the inland South Island," he said.
But there is good news on the horizon, with MetService predicting Christmas Day to have good weather.
"So many coastal places will have some sea breezes which may just cool things down slightly in the afternoon, a nice refreshing breeze," MetService meteorologist Peter Little told Newshub on Wednesday.
"But those places inland are still looking quite hot, still have some showers popping up, but overall they'll be quite isolated. So it looks like over most of the country, the weather shouldn't impact too many people's barbecue plans."
