It's time to put away the boogie board and suntan lotion ... in some parts of the country

A front which is slowly moving up the South Island is likely to bring heavy rain and thunderstorms to the West Coast today.

MetService meteorologist April Clark says it'll make its way to the lower North Island.

She says it's not so bad on the east coast - but a southern change could bring showers.

There's some cloud for the North Island - which will break up this afternoon.

But otherwise, Clark says it will be generally fine elsewhere around the country.