Weather watches out in force across sodden North Island

The wet weather that has hit the North Island in recent days is set to linger, with a number of weather watches in force for much of the island.

MetService last night said it was monitoring a low pressure system that was swirling over the Tasman Sea, drawing down warm, moist air from the tropics.

"People across the upper North Island are already feeling the effects, with periods of heavy rain and thunderstorms. Those within the thunderstorm risk areas may be hearing or seeing thunder and lightning."

A range of weather warnings remain in place.

There are severe thunderstorm watches in place for Northland (until 10pm today) and Auckland, Great Barrier Island and Coromandel Peninsula (from 3pm until midnight).

"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," the agency warned.

"Driving conditions will also be hazardous with surface flooding and poor visibility in heavy rain."

There were severe weather warnings in place for Northland (until 10pm), Auckland and Great Barrier Island (until 1am tomorrow), Coromandel Peninsula (until 4am tomorrow), Waikato, Waitomo, Taupō, Taranaki, Taumarunui and Tongariro National Park (until 1am tomorrow), and Bay of Plenty west of Whakatāne (until 6am tomorrow).