Auckland is finally in store for a fine spell this afternoon, but thunderstorm alerts remain in effect for parts of the North Island.

Both Northland and Bay of Plenty east of Rotorua are under heavy rain and severe thunderstorm watches.

MetService meteorologist Alain Baillie said the frequent showers in Northland would not clear until tomorrow, and the area would be under the weather watches until about 5pm today.

⛅️☀️⛅️
Plenty of sunny spots at midday

— MetService (@MetService) December 25, 2023

Both Bay of Plenty watches are in place from this afternoon until about midnight.

The capital, too, is out of luck, with Baillie saying Wellington will be getting fog after a southerly change later tonight.

Further south, thunderstorms and shower activity between Queenstown and Alexandra is set to clear this afternoon.

MetService warned the severe thunderstorms could mean intense downpours that threaten flash floods around low-lying areas and also lead to slips.

MetService forecaster Tuporo Marsters said a southerly change would bring some showers and possible thunder north of Dunedin and into inland South Canterbury.

“It sort of brings the cold changes spreading up to Kaikōura by night-time.”

The South Island is part of the thunderstorm action too

A rumble or two of thunder is possible this afternoon and evening, continuing longer for the upper and central North Island

The Severe Thunderstorm Watch in the North Island goes until 10pm

— MetService (@MetService) December 25, 2023

Marsters told the Herald temperatures would mostly be over 20C across the North Island, and Napier and Hastings would again be hitting the high 20s. The capital is also set to reach about 22C.

Over on the South Island’s West Coast, the area could expect temperatures in the low 20s, and Blenheim could reach 26C, he said.

“[Temperatures will be] a little bit cooler, with that southeasterly change for [the area] around Christchurch only going to 22C, and then it’s dropping into the high teens through to Timaru.”

Further inland, he said Central Otago could hit 25C.

Yesterday, Hastings logged the top temperature in the country, hitting about 33C, with nearby Napier reaching 32C and Gisborne making it to 28C.

Marsters said down south, Twizel also felt the heat, getting to 30C. Kaikōura reached 27C and Christchurch hit 25C.