Severe thunderstorm watch issued for Auckland, Northland and Waikato

Auckland Emergency Management has issued reminder to "stay alert" as a severe thunderstorm bears down on the upper North Island.

The severe thunderstorm watch, issued alongside other watches and warnings across the country, is in place in Auckland from 3pm to 8pm, which EMA notes is "just in time for school pickup and rush hour".

The agency advised those in Auckland to be aware to the potential for "localised heavy downpours, strong winds and even the low risk of a small tornado".

"Look out for surface and flash flooding, and remember never drive, walk or play in floodwaters."

In an update posted at 1.45pm, MetService said a front with heavy rain and embedded thunderstorms was expected to move over the northern North Island this afternoon and evening.

Along with Auckland, MetService's severe thunderstorm watch also included Northland and Waikato.

"The thunderstorms will be accompanied by heavy rain of 10-20mm/h, strong wind gust of 100km/h, and a low risk of a small tornado."

There was moderate risk of localised downpours of 25-40mm/h.

"These downpours could occur with or without thunderstorms. 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."

Auckland Emergency Management people should report stormwater issues and flooding to Auckland Council, and life or property is in danger, 111 should be called immediately.

New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said the weather may impact travel across the Auckland Harbour Bridge this afternoon and evening.

Wind gusts could reach 75-85km/h over the bridge this afternoon, which could coincide with potential thunderstorms, it said.

"All drivers are reminded to drive to the conditions and pay attention to electronic message boards on the motorway, which will advise of any lane closures and speed limit reductions."

Stormy conditions earlier today made themselves known further south.

MetService recorded around 6200 lightning strikes between 6pm and 6.30am in Nelson, Tasman and Wellington, meteorologist Ethan Walton-Jones said.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

Northland, Auckland, Great Barrier Island, Waikato - 5 hours from 3pm to 8pm Friday.

Coromandel Peninsula - 5 hours from 5pm to 10pm Friday.

Heavy Rain Warning – Orange

Bay of Plenty east of Whakatāne – 9 hours from 3pm to midnight Friday.

Taranaki north of Eltham – 12 hours from 9am to 9pm Friday.

Tararua Range - 18 hours from 9am Friday to 3am Saturday.

Heavy Rain Watch

Bay of Plenty from Whakatāne westwards, and Taupō – 9 hours from 3pm Friday to 12am Saturday.

Waitomo, Taumarunui and Tongariro National Park, including the headwaters of the Whanganui River – 10 hours from 1pm to 11pm Friday.

Horowhenua, Kapiti Coast, Wellington – 17 hours from 9am Friday to 2am Saturday.

More on this topic

Severe thunderstorm watch for upper North Island as wild weather rolls in

Lightning has already lit up the skies over Nelson overnight, with severe thunderstorms and heavy rain now threatening large parts of the upper North Island.

New Zealand

10:20am

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Buller and the Tasman Ranges – 15 hours from 9am Friday to 12am Saturday.

Marlborough north of the Wairau river - 12 hours from 9am to 9pm Friday.