A thunderstorm has developed in the central North Island and more are expected later today as MetService warns weather will continue to be "unstable" in the lead-up to Christmas.
Its thunderstorm outlook issued Wednesday warns there could be a few thunderstorms about western areas from Waikato to Taranaki and the north of Wanganui and across the central high country to the eastern ranges. There is also a moderate risk of thunderstorms around the west coast of Northland.
"These storms may be accompanied by hail and heavy rain, 10 to 25mm per hour," the outlook said.
"There is a low risk that the thunderstorms this afternoon, evening and at night for the west of Taupo, inland Waitomo, Taumarunui, western Taihape and much of Taranaki could be severe bringing localised downpours with rainfall rates of 25 to 40mm per hour.
"There is a low risk of persistent localised thunderstorms this evening and at night for the south of the Coromandel Peninsula and the far west of the Bay of Plenty. These storms could be severe bringing localised downpours with 25 to 40mm per hour."
MetService severe weather forecaster John Crouch told Newshub 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 told Newshub that localised heavy rain and hail are expected to come with the storms.
"The central lower North Island will be a place to watch for these downpours."
And he warned Southland, Central Otago, Nelson and Buller could see severe weather hit again later in the week.
Crouch added some thunderstorms could occur on Christmas Day, especially for inland parts of the North Island.
"From the weekend onwards it's sort of not looking quite as unstable as it has been for the last week or so."
He said with further severe thunderstorms on their way, Kiwis should stay up to date with MetService's latest forecast.
