Weather: Wet weather set to clear over New Zealand

After heavy rain, strong winds and thunderstorms yesterday, the North Island is taking a turn for the better.

The front that brought Monday's turbulent weather is now slipping off to the east. Showers will dissipate throughout the day for the North Island with Gisborne seeing the last of the wet weather in the afternoon.

Met Service meteorologist Tom Adams said the last 24 hours have been very wet in some areas with areas in the Tararua District copping 92mm. Ngawi in the Wairarapa got 64mm and Masterton saw 51mm of rain. But it was Wellington that got a surprising amount of rain with most of their 40mm falling within 12 hours, almost half the capital's 98mm average monthly rainfall.

Rain continues from Taranaki to Kapiti to #Wellington. Showers in #Auckland & the Far North. Rain radar--> https://t.co/prKU7O2R01 ^CL pic.twitter.com/1qb30x2eIf

— MetService (@MetService) November 7, 2016

Around 700 lightning strikes were recorded offshore from Northland in the early hours of Monday morning. Another 35 struck directly over land.

MetService meteorologist Lisa Murray said many of the strikes were cloud-to-cloud and while people would not have seen these, "they certainly would have heard the thunder associated with them".

A front forming from the south is expected to sweep the country slowly over the next few days bringing wet weather to the South Island today and to the North Island on Thursday. Fiordland and Dunedin have a chance of thunderstorms.

It's also looking settled in Tauranga, but fine weather will turn to showers in Hamilton and Wellington on Thursday.

While it's a bit early to say, there's an indication the weekend should see some fine weather, Adams said. Saturday may start out showery but Sunday should be "quite a nice day".

November is looking like typical spring weather. Adams predicted the eastern regions will be warmer than average and the west coast could get above average rainfall.

"It'll be a bit wetter in the west and a bit drier in the east... The temperatures are quite variable as they often are in spring."

Main centre forecasts

Whangarei
Few morning showers then fine. Gusty southwest easing and a high of 19°C.

Auckland
Few morning showers then fine. Strong southwest eases and a high of 18°C.

Hamilton
Few morning showers then fine. Gusty southwest easing and a high of 21°C.

Tauranga
Fine spells, chance morning shower. Southwest eases and a high of 22°C.

Wellington
Morning showers, then fine spells. Strong Southerly dies out and a high of 16°C.

Christchurch
Fine, high cloud. Northeasterly freshening and a high of 18°C.

Dunedin
Cloudy periods, few afternoon​/​evening showers. Northeasterly and a high of 20°C.

Queenstown
High cloud at times, few spots of rain. Gusty westerly and a high of 18°C.​