The ranges in Gisborne and northern Hawke's Bay and eastern Bay of Plenty were expected to be in line for thunderstorms with intense downpours and hail forecast for after lunch. The broader Bay of Plenty, Taupo and Hawke's Bay regions were at a lesser risk of violent weather.
Thunderstorms could also boil up over the northern tip of both islands and the bottom of the South Island towards the end of the day.
For the first time in weeks there are few weather warnings as a large area of high pressure spreads across the country.
It comes after a day of torrential localised deluges as super-charged cells lashed regions across the North Island.
A month's worth of rain fell on a single Auckland suburb yesterday morning, turning roads to rivers and flooding homes.
Last night seven people were evacuated from a home at Rangipo in the central North Island as a cloudburst unleashed a torrent of rain.
A section of SH46 was closed and occupants of a house were moved to safety as the southern Taupo district was hit by severe cloud bursts.
Police asked motorists to avoid all unnecessary travel in the area and drive to the conditions.
Today's forecast:
Auckland: Morning cloud clearing to fine. Light winds. 27C
Hamilton: Morning low cloud or fog clearing to fine. Light winds. 28C
Tauranga: Mainly fine, apart from some cloud. Light winds. 29C
Wellington: Morning and evening cloud, warm and sunny after lunch. Northerlies. 25C
Christchurch: Sunny. Easterly breezes. 30C
Dunedin: Morning cloud then fine. Afternoon showers. Southeasterly winds. 22C
