A blast of wild wintry weather with thunderstorms, heavy rain and hail is tipped to hit the North Island this afternoon.

Auckland is set to be soaked during rush hour, while snow continues to fall in the South Island.

A sprawling rainmaker moved on to the top of the country this morning and will send rain in bands down the North Island.

Auckland is in the firing line for rush-hour thunderstorms as the rain band passes over.

MetService said there was a risk of localised heavy rain with intensities of 10-20mm per hour and small hail.

Mmathapelo says the already saturated ground could mean there is some surface flooding.

She says as the rain band passes over, there will be a brief period of heavy rain, followed by showers.

“There is a possibility of a more intense rainfall as they move across.”

The rain is also expected to hit Coromandel Peninsula and Western Bay of Plenty this evening.

Mmathapelo says Northland has already received some heavy rain this morning, which will linger for the rest of the day.

MetService is also forecasting a moderate risk of thunderstorms in western regions of both islands from this afternoon through until tonight.

Mmathapelo says although the incoming rain is not expected to reach warning criteria, MetService is keeping a close eye on the situation.

“We want people to be aware there is a wet period ahead … and there will be some wetter periods within that.”

Further south, road snowfall warnings are in place as alpine passes in the South Island plunge back into wintry conditions.

From 3pm until 9pm, 1-3cm of snow is expected to accumulate on Arthur’s Pass (SH73).

Porters Pass (SH73) is under a road snowfall warning from 2pm until midnight, with 3-8cm expected to fall around the summit.

A road snowfall warning is already active for Lindis Pass, where 1-3cm is forecast to fall. The snowfall warning is in place until 1pm.

-Bay of Plenty Times.