More than 400 lightning strikes were recorded in the Eastern Bay yesterday afternoon.

Lightning, thunder, rain and hail all rained down in the eastern part of the Bay of Plenty as a severe thunderstorm warning lingered in place.

Lightning struck more than twice in the Eastern Bay yesterday. File photo.

MetService meteorologist Gerard Barrows says while the lightning strikes were not an 'exceptional amount”, it was certainly a lot more than normal.

The thundersorm warning has now been lifted.

The MetService is expecting the front moving up the country which brought cool air to New Zealand to move away.

A ridge of high pressure is expected to take hold during Tuesday and Wednesday, before a cold front approaches from the south late on Wednesday and moves onto the country later in the week.

This ridge of high pressure means that most showers clear, and many people will see some sunshine during the first half of this week.

Another front approaches the south of the South Island late on Wednesday. Strong north to northwest winds are expected ahead of the front as it moves northwards on Thursday and Friday, and the front will bring rain or showers to many places, says meteorologist Claire Flynn.

'There is some uncertainty regarding the timing and development of this front.

'This could change the exact timing of the rainfall expected for different areas towards the weekend. However, as always we will be monitoring the feature as it develops and the latest updates can be found on our website.”

Meanwhile in the tropics, two tropical depressions have formed. The first of these is located just northwest of Vanuatu and the second is located to the northeast of Fiji.

MetService is also monitoring these two depressions, and you can keep up to date at the following link: http://info.metraweather.com/e/60812/ings-tropical-cyclone-activity/859v2c/314803560