Weather watches and warnings are in place for most of the country as stormy weather rages on

MetService has issued severe thunderstorm watches for Northland, Wellington and the western areas of both islands.

Thunderstorms could become severe and there may be hail larger than 20mm, winds greater than 110 kilometres an hour and possibly one or two damaging tornados near the coast.

The Bay of Plenty, Wellington, Horowhenua and Westland can expect heavy rain.

Strong wind's forecast in Westland, Canterbury's high country, Marlborough, Wellington and the Wairarapa.

And Queenstown Lakes and Canterbury west of Otematata are on heavy snow watch.