Parts of the North Island will likely see heavy rain, hail, and possible tornadoes or funnel clouds as thunderstorms develop this afternoon.
Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Taupō, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Taihape, Whanganui, Manawatū and Tararua are all under a severe thunderstorm watch until 9pm tonight.
Heavy rain and hail are expected in these areas, alongside the "risk of a small localised tornado or funnel cloud", according to MetService.
There is a "moderate risk of thunderstorms developing" for inland Bay of plenty from Rotorua eastwards, inland Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, the Tararua District, eastern Taupō, Taihape, inland Whanganui and northern Manawatū.
MetService expects these thunderstorms to produce localised downpours of 25 to 40mm/h.
"Rainfall of this intensity can cause surface and/or flash flooding, especially in low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys, and may also lead to slips," the forecaster said.
"Driving conditions will also be hazardous with surface flooding and poor visibility in heavy rain."
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