Watch: Weatherman Dan Corbett teaches kids how to make a rain gauge

'Large hail': Thunderstorm watch issued for parts of Otago, Canterbury

MetService said the thunderstorms bring the risk of localised heavy rain between 10 to 25 mm/h, and hail between 5 and 20mm in diameter.

Wet, blustery start to week for large parts of the South Island

Multiple orange heavy rain and strong wind warnings and watches have been issued for Monday.

West Coast weather radar back online after lightning strike

After a direct lightning hit in September, the radar was out for an "extended period" as its badly-damaged protective dome was replaced with another.

Overnight temperatures cool off, front to move in next week

MetService meteorologist Heather Keats said there was a high-pressure system moving in from the west which is "what we want for the weekend".