MetService NZ
banner
metservice.com
MetService NZ
@metservice.com
New Zealand's weather service. Helping Kiwis be ready, whatever the weather.
🌩 Thunderstorms and heavy falls are possible over most of the North Island tomorrow.
🌧 Rain is expected in the South Island, especially for northern and eastern parts.

Watches & Warnings: bit.ly/AllWarnings
Thunderstorm Outlook: bit.ly/STWarning
January 13, 2026 at 9:37 PM
📸 Thank you to Vicky Stephenson for capturing these Kelvin-Helmholtz clouds off the Ruahine ranges a couple of weeks ago.
ℹ️ Kelvin Helmholtz clouds form when faster-moving air "scoops" at the surface of cloud in a slower-moving air layer, creating waves 🌊
January 13, 2026 at 1:24 AM
🟡🌧️ Heavy Rain Watches issued for Tasman and Marlborough
☔ A low-pressure system moves in late tomorrow night into Thursday, bringing heavy rain to the upper South Island
⛈️ Widespread rain is expected on Thursday, with a risk of thunderstorms for the North Island especially
January 13, 2026 at 12:05 AM
🌡️ Max temperatures today are a closer to average January temperatures than those seen over the weekend.
☀️ Hawke's Bay is still looking toasty; Wairoa has a forecast high of 29°C
⛅ Down south, temperatures a notch below their January averages
🔗 bit.ly/metservicenz
January 12, 2026 at 8:26 PM
A southwesterly change brings cloud and a few showers to the North Island, as well as a shift to cooler temperatures 🌡️📉🌦️
Showers brush the edges of the South Island, otherwise skies clearing 🌦️🌤️
January 12, 2026 at 12:18 AM
Temperatures are still on their way up, but here's a selection of some of the highest temperatures and strongest wind gusts we've seen today so far ♨️💨
January 11, 2026 at 2:20 AM
Hottest midday temperatures 📈🌡️
Drink plenty of water, stick to the shade if you can, and avoid any activities that might create sparks. ♨️ More advice here: about.metservice.com/heat-alerts
January 10, 2026 at 11:19 PM
⚠️ The Severe Weather Warnings have been updated. Key differences from yesterday's issue:
🌧️🟠 The Heavy Rain Watch for Buller has been upgraded to an orange Heavy Rain Warning
💨🟡 A Strong Wind Watch has been added for Hawke's Bay
🔗 For details, visit: bit.ly/AllWarnings
January 10, 2026 at 9:33 PM
⛈️ Rain and severe gale northwesterlies move northwards over the South Island today
⚠️ Heavy Rain and Strong Wind Warnings are in force bit.ly/AllWarnings
🌡️ We're expecting hot conditions for eastern areas today. Kaikōura is already at 29.4°C as of 8:30am
January 10, 2026 at 7:34 PM
🟠💨Orange Strong Wind Warning issued for Marlborough, The Tararua District, Wairarapa and Wellington.

🟠🌧Orange Heavy Rain Warning issued for Headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers about and south of Arthur's Pass.
January 9, 2026 at 9:09 PM
Eagle eyed radar watchers might have spotted something wrong in the radar over Auckland this morning. 🦅 The radar is a very useful tool, but data is often noisy.
January 9, 2026 at 8:36 PM
Records could roll this weekend in some places! Here are a few forecast maximum temperatures as of this morning (Friday)🌡

Heat alerts are in place for: Paihia and Russel, Whangārei, Whitianga, Tauranga, Whakatāne, Gisborne, Napier, Hastings, Masterton, Motueka, Blenheim, Kaikōura and Christchurch.
January 8, 2026 at 10:42 PM
Warnings & Watches have been issued for this weekend 🟠🟡

Heavy rain and strong winds are expected for parts of the South Island and Central New Zealand as a front, preceded by a strong, moist northwesterly flow moves up.

For more information: bit.ly/AllWarnings
January 8, 2026 at 9:01 PM
It’s going to be a hot weekend with muggy nights 🥵

Babies and infants, older people, and those with medical conditions are particularly vulnerable, so check in on each other.

Even if you’re somewhere without heat alerts, here are good tips for managing summer heat:
about.metservice.com/heat-alerts
January 8, 2026 at 7:36 PM
Temperatures are set to soar this weekend - check out the latest here: youtu.be/wmqRd2rTA9k
Very Warm Days Ahead for NZ - Thursday 8 January
YouTube video by MetService - NZ Weather
youtu.be
January 8, 2026 at 1:20 AM
🟧 ⛈️A Severe thunderstorm Warning has been issued for ASHLEY FOREST and LEES VALLEY.

These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by large hail and frequent lightning.

Details here www.metservice.com/warnings/hom...
January 7, 2026 at 9:03 AM
🟧 ⛈️Severe thunderstorm Warning is out for LAKE WAIKAREMOANA.

These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by torrential rain, large hail and frequent lightning.

Details here www.metservice.com/warnings/hom...
January 7, 2026 at 6:23 AM
🟧 ⛈️Severe thunderstorm Warnings are out for MATAWAI, RERE, WHAREKOPAE, KORANGA and RUAKITURI.

These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by torrential rain, large hail and frequent lightning.

Details here www.metservice.com/warnings/hom...
January 7, 2026 at 5:30 AM
🟧 ⛈️Severe thunderstorm Warnings are out for MATAWAI, OTOKO, TINIROTO, TE REINGA, RUAKITURI and TUKEMOKIH.

These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by torrential rain, large hail and frequent lightning.

Details here www.metservice.com/warnings/hom...
January 7, 2026 at 4:43 AM
🟧 ⛈️A Severe thunderstorm Warning is out for TE KARAKA, MATAWAI and OTOKO.

These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by torrential rain, large hail and frequent lightning.

Details here www.metservice.com/warnings/hom...
January 7, 2026 at 3:56 AM
Cumulonimbus clouds are bubbling up in the Severe Thunderstorm Watch area - with more to come
🟡⛈ Watch - conditions look right for intense thunderstorms. Most places in the area won't even get rained on, but stay alert!
🛑⛈ Warning - we see a severe thunderstorm on the radar
bit.ly/STSWatch
January 7, 2026 at 2:53 AM
⛈️ Thunderstorms are bubbling up over the eastern North Island this afternoon, clearing in the evening
🌧️ A westerly flow directs rain towards the South Island, and draws hot air from Australia
🌡️📈 Temperatures begin to hike up, especially in eastern areas
🔗 bit.ly/metservicenz
January 7, 2026 at 2:23 AM
⚡⚠️ Severe Thunderstorm Watch

Reminder: A Severe Thunderstorm WATCH 🟡 shows where severe thunderstorms COULD form, a Severe Thunderstorm WARNING 🛑is when one has formed. Keep an eye out for updates this afternoon here: bit.ly/STWarning 👀
January 6, 2026 at 8:14 PM
We can see a halo, halo, halo 😇🎶☀️
A thin veil of high cloud covers the upper North Island today, which means the sun gets a 22° halo! Thank you very much to Heather for the photo 📸
You can read more about atmospheric optical phenomena on our blog: blog.metservice.com/atmospheric-... 🌈
January 5, 2026 at 10:41 PM
Ata mārie, good morning! 🌄
Another clear, calm day is in store for most of Aotearoa New Zealand; though a few showers will crop up over the upper North Island as the day heats up, you'd be unlucky to encounter one 🌤️
📸 Stunning Angelus Hut webcam courtesy of the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council 🤩
January 5, 2026 at 7:00 PM