Source: Radio New Zealand
Storm clouds over Queen Elizabeth Park in Kāpiti after a thunderstorm. Supplied/ Dan Bailey
The hot start to summer is expected to take a turn, with thunderstorms, hail and even a chance of tornados for the North Island.
MetService said an active low pressure system is expected to move onto central and northern New Zealand during Wednesday and move to the east of the country on Thursday. The system is expected to bring heavy rain with thunderstorms and strong winds.
MetService Meteorologist Devlin Lynden said there is a moderate risk for thunderstorms in the North Island bringing heavy rain, small hail and even a chance of small tornadoes.
Lynden said the conditions were the “right set-up” for small tornados, with tornadoes more likely to form in coastal areas of the North Island.
A look ahead to Wednesday shows several Severe Weather Watches and Warnings in place as a large low pressure system crosses the North Island
Heavy Rain, Strong Winds, and thunderstorms with downpours and hail are all likely for the North Island pic.twitter.com/7WiaZhLl3M
— MetService NZ (@MetService) December 1, 2025
MetService has issued several weather warning and watches across the North Island.
Bay of Plenty has been issued an orange heavy rain warning for most of Wednesday, with up to 120mm of rain expected.
A heavy rain watch has been issued for Auckland, Waikato, central North Island, Taranaki, Wairarapa and Wellington for Wednesday.
A strong wind watch has been issued for Northland, Auckland, Wellington, Wairarapa, Taranaki, eastern areas of the Tararua District and Hawke’s Bay for Wednesday.
While the North Island may be in for the brunt of it, the South Island gets its share of rainy weather too.
The upper parts of the South Island may also see a period of heavier rain on Wednesday associated with the low to the north.
The low gradually moves off to the southeast on Wednesday night, and conditions will ease behind it, before starting to clear through Thursday morning, with many places seeing drier weather and some sunshine return.
However, strong to gale southwesterly winds will persist, particularly for Wellington, Wairarapa, Northland and Auckland; they will keep the temperatures capped towards the end of the week.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
