A severe thunderstorm watch is in place for Auckland and parts of Northland this afternoon and evening.
The thunderstorm watch also applies to Waikato, Waitomo, Taumaranui, Bay of Plenty, Taupo, Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Taranaki, Taihape, Wanganui, Manawatu, Tararua and Wairarapa.
MetService warns between 2pm and 10pm, "there is a risk of severe thunderstorms producing localised downpours of 25-40mm per hour."
"Rainfall of this intensity can cause surface and/or flash flooding, especially about low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys, and may also lead to slips."
"Driving conditions will also be hazardous with surface flooding and poor visibility in heavy rain," MetService said.
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