Today is set to be a mixed bag on the weather front, with thunderstorms possible in places and high temperatures expected for much of the country as Kiwis prepare to ring in the New Year.
The Bay of Plenty east of Ōpōtiki in particular is set for a wet start to 2024, while other places clear up before midnight.
"The last day of 2023 is heating up, with most of our main locations already at 19C or more," MetService tweeted at about 7.30am.
"Gisborne and Napier are heading the pack at 23C, with Whangārei, Whanganui, and Masterton chasing at 22C.
"At the other end of the scale, Invercargill, Dunedin, and Queenstown are still in the double digits with 11C."
But temperatures are expected to cool later today.
"Hoping for some relief from the heat and humidity? It's coming!
"Cooler southerlies will arrive later Sunday into Monday at the expense of a cold front that will bring heavy showers and thunderstorms (mostly before midnight)," NIWA Weather tweeted.
"Severe weather to end the year," MetService said.
A number of severe weather warnings and watches are in place as the country counts down to 2024.
A severe thunderstorm watch is in place for Waikato, Waitomo, Taumarunui, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua and Taupō from 1pm to 9pm today, with MetService warning that driving conditions will be hazardous with surface flooding and poor visibility.
"About Waikato, Waitomo, Taumarunui, Taupō, and the Bay of Plenty including Rotorua, there is a moderate risk of localised downpours, with or without thunderstorms, bringing intensities of 25 to 40mm/h," the forecaster said.
"Note, the risk of downpours is expected to decrease in Waikato, Waitomo and Taumarunui by early evening, and in Bay of Plenty and Taupo late evening.
"Rainfall of this intensity can cause surface and/or flash flooding, especially about low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys, and may also lead to slips."
Rain is expected over the north of the North Island as the day continues, and gales are forecast for central New Zealand.
Heavy rain watches are in place for Bay of Plenty east of Ōpōtiki from 5pm tonight to 5am tomorrow and for Taumarunui, Waitomo, northern Taranaki, northern Whanganui, and Taihape about and west of SH1 from 9am to 9pm today.
"Periods of heavy rain with thunderstorms and possible downpours" are forecast for areas under the watches.
And strong wind warnings are in place for the Marlborough Sounds, Wellington, and Wairarapa south of about Greytown from 9am to 2pm today, and inland areas of Marlborough and Canterbury north of Arthur's Pass from 9am to noon today.
"Strong wind gusts could damage trees, powerlines and unsecured structures. Driving may be hazardous, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles," MetService warned.
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