Heavy rain and thunderstorm watches are in place in parts of the North and South islands. Photo: MetService
MetService has issued a heavy rain alert for parts of the North and South islands, at the same time Hawkes Bay is in for a second day of high temperatures.
The heavy rain watch continues for the central and lower North Island and Canterbury High Country, MetService said in its latest update on Monday morning.
"An unsettled northwest flow with embedded fronts affects the country. Warnings and watches are in force for heavy rain. Please stay up to date with forecasts."
MetService said rain would push up from Manawatū and Taranaki on Monday morning to Waitomo in King Country and Waikato by Monday afternoon.
A heavy rain watch remained in place in Waitomo, Taumarunui, Taupō, and Taihape northwest of Waiouru, excluding Tongariro National Park for 18 hours from 4pm on Monday.
MetService said there was a moderate chance of upgrading to a warning.
The front would head north and bring wind to Auckland and Northland on Monday followed by rain and cooler weather on Tuesday, possibly with thunderstorms.
Across the Tararua Range from Monday afternoon there would be periods of heavy rain which could approach warning criteria, MetService said.
Severe Weather Update!
— MetService (@MetService) October 12, 2025
Heavy Rain Watches and Warnings have been updated.
Tongariro National Park has been upgraded to a warning.
A heavy rain warning has been issued for the eastern ranges of Bay of Plenty, valid for tomorrow.
A heavy rain watch has been… pic.twitter.com/pmdSiF3ENY
Thunderstorms and hail was possible with up to 20 millimetres of rain expected to start about 2pm and last 10 hours.
There was also a heavy rain watch in place about the headwaters of Canterbury lakes and rivers and north of the Rangitata River to Arthur's Pass until 5pm on Monday.
MetService said this would include periods of heavy rain and possible thunderstorms with rainfall amounts potentially approaching warning criteria within 15 kilometres east of the main divide.
Rain would ease from the south on Monday afternoon but there was a moderate chance of upgrading to a warning.
Meanwhile, it was a different story on the east coast of the North Island, particularly in Hawkes Bay where Napier and Hastings were heading for high temperatures for the second consecutive day.
Napier was predicted to get to 26 degrees and Hastings 27 on Monday, after getting up to 28 degrees on Sunday.
It continued to be warm and windy across the eastern side of the country for Monday, MetService said, after the warmer air tracked across on north-westerlies from Australia during the weekend.
That was expected to disappear during the week and potentially return for the weekend.
MetService would issue another update at 9pm on Monday.
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