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Bay of Plenty residents and holidaymakers are encouraged to enjoy the warm sunshine today – the first day of 2014 – with it set to be short-lived.

Metservice Media and communications meteorologist Dan Corbett says the brief fine and dry spell across much of the country will disappear as the next active trough spreads more rain and thunder throughout the country during today – New Year's Day.

Photos by Daniel Hines.

Dan says fine spells will last the longest across eastern parts of the North Island today 'but even here there will be some wet weather into the night”.

The Metservice website says in Tauranga rain will develop this afternoon, with a chance of a thunder, and a gusty northerly. While tomorrow will be fine, with some morning and evening cloud and a northwest breeze.

'The weather system will have some grunt to it, which will help generate some heavy rain and thunderstorms – especially in western parts of the country during the end of the day,” says Dan.

Mount Maunganui has already seen its first cruise ship arrive for 2014, with Voyager Of The Seas docking at about 8am this morning, and is expected to depart at about 6pm.

The MetService is issuing shortly severe weather warnings for the ranges of Buller and Westland for heavy rain as well as a severe weather watch for parts of the Nelson region for New Year's Day.

'Some strong to severe thunderstorms are also possible across many western parts of the country during the day, with downpours possible in Northland.”

Dan says some quieter and drier weather will spread back in during Thursday before another active trough brings further wet and windy weather across the country for Friday into Saturday.