Metservice

Hail, thunderstorms, "intense" rainfall and strong winds are forecast for most of the country for New Year’s Eve - with MetService issuing weather warnings across both islands from this.

MetService now says there could be heavy rain and thunderstorms as far south as the Marlborough Sounds and the Rai Valley, as well as Tasman.

The country’s national meteorological service MetService issued Red Heavy Rain Warning for the Auckland area overnight and recorded 249 mm of rain in 24 hours until 1 a.m. Saturday.

The MetService was warning that the thunderstorms could produce up to 20-35mm/h of rain and hail greater than 22mm in diameter which might cause damage to crops and vehicles.

MetService has strong wind warnings and watches in place for much of the South Island and they, along with police, are warning motorists to take extra care when driving.

About 1cm of snow may accumulate on the road above 700 metres, MetService said.

MetService warned that snow was also expected to fall at the summit of Dunedin’s Northern Motorway early today, and the Queenstown Lakes District Council said the Crown Range Rd, linking Queenstown and Wanaka, was closed from 10pm last night.

Photo: MetService Rain showers, some heavy with hail, are forecast to hit parts of the South Island today with snow to sea level, including heavy falls above 200m.

Today, that means weather similar to yesterday - settled, MetService meteorologist Gerard Bellam said.

MetService said both Wānaka and Queenstown Airports have surpassed their average December rainfall in the first five days of the month.

Satellite footage provided to MetService showed smoke trails from Australia's eastern coast making their way over the sea towards Kaitaia.

ALTHOUGH Monday’s tornado may have seemed unusual, the Metservice says the Eastern Bay is more susceptible to tornados than other areas of the country.

Weather forecaster Metservice said storm-damaged areas on the west coast of the South Island would get a reprieve on Saturday with sheltered, sunny weather before more rain arrives, while heavy rains were forecast for the North Island around Auckland.