10.05am: MetService have issued a high risk of thunderstorms for western Bay of Plenty, including Tauranga and Te Puke, late afternoon and evening.
"We will continue to monitor the development of any severe storms," forecaster Georgina Griffiths said.
The main risk with the expected thunderstorms was localised heavy rain, with the possibility of downpours of up to 35 mm/hr, she said
Deluges of this type could cause localised surface flooding, especially given the saturated soils due to recent heavy rain in the region.
8.58am: A severe weather warning issued for the Bay of Plenty yesterday has this morning been lifted.