Severe Weather Outlook
Issued: 10:13am Saturday 6 Jun 2026
Valid Monday 08-Jun-2026
A cold and showery west to southwest flow spreads north over the country.
There is low confidence of severe west to southwest gales affecting coastal Southland and Clutha.
Valid Tuesday 09-Jun-2026
The cold south to southwest flow should slowly ease over mainland New Zealand.
There is minimal risk of severe weather affecting mainland New Zealand, but there is low confidence that southwesterlies at the Chatham Islands will be warning strength.
Valid Wednesday 10-Jun-2026
A large high over the Tasman Sea is expected to slowly move onto the country.
There is minimal risk of severe weather.
Valid Thursday 11-Jun-2026
A large high should cover much of the country. Strong northwesterlies may develop in the south with possible rain in Fiordland.
There is minimal risk of severe weather.
Low confidence:
A 20% likelihood (or 1 chance in 5) of a warning being issued.
Moderate confidence:
A 40% likelihood (or 2 chances in 5) of a warning being issued.
High confidence:
a 60% likelihood (or 3 chances in 5) of a warning being issued.
New issues of this forecast are made available on this site at or before 16:30 NZST
Thunderstorm Outlook
Valid to Midnight Saturday, 06-Jun-2026
Issued: 7:48am Saturday 6 Jun 2026
An unstable westerly flow covers the North Island today, while a cold front and southerly wind change moves northwards over central New Zealand. For Northland and Auckland, there is a moderate risk of a few thunderstorms about western areas this morning, and a low risk elsewhere through to this afternoon. Brief heavy rain of 5-15 mm/h and hail of 5-15 mm diameter will accompany the thunderstorms. For eastern Bay of Plenty, there is a moderate risk of a few thunderstorms east of Opotiki this morning and afternoon, with brief heavy rain of 5-15 mm/h and small hail. For western North Island areas from about Raglan to Paraparaumu, there is a moderate risk of a few thunderstorms from late morning through until early evening, with brief heavy rain of 5-15 mm/h and hail of 5-15 mm diameter. For Marlborough and eastern parts of Nelson (including Nelson city), there is a moderate risk of a few thunderstorms for a time mid or late afternoon, with brief heavy rain of 5-15 mm/h and hail of 5-10 mm diameter. For coastal parts of Southland and Clutha, there is a moderate risk of one or two thunderstorms from this evening, with brief heavy rain of 5-10 mm/h, and hail of 5-10 mm diameter. Also, although not depicted on the chart, there is a moderate risk of a few thunderstorms at the Chatham Islands around the middle of the day with brief heavy rain. A low risk covers many other areas as indicated on the chart.
Valid to Noon Sunday, 07-Jun-2026
Issued: 7:31pm Saturday 6 Jun 2026
A showery southwest flow covers New Zealand on Sunday morning, with embedded fronts moving northwards along the east coast of both islands. As indicated on the chart, there is a low risk of a few thunderstorms about Canterbury, southern Wellington, Wairarapa, Buller and far western Tasman before dawn, and about coastal parts of Hawke's Bay (including the Wairoa district) later in the morning. There is a minimal risk of thunderstorms over other parts of New Zealand on Sunday morning.
Valid to Midnight Sunday, 07-Jun-2026
Issued: 7:32pm Saturday 6 Jun 2026
There is minimal risk of thunderstorms or significant convection during this period.
Severe Thunderstorm Criteria
In New Zealand, MetService classifies a thunderstorm as severe if one or more of the following criteria are met:
Heavy rain (from thunderstorms):
Rainfall of 25 millimetres per hour, or more.
Large hail:
Hailstones 20 millimetres in diameter, or larger.
Strong wind gusts (from thunderstorms):
Gusts of 110 kilometres per hour / 60 knots or stronger.
Damaging tornadoes:
Fujita F1 (wind speeds greater than 116 kilometres per hour / 63 knots) or stronger.