A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for the Bay of Plenty today.
Metservice forecast scattered heavy showers with thunderstorms which are expected to develop over the central North Island this afternoon.
This will affect areas from Auckland to Taihape, including Tauranga and Rotorua where there is moderate risk that some thunderstorms could become severe.
Metservice warns of localised downpours of 25 to 40m/hr. Rainfall of this intensity could cause flash flooding, especially about low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys, and may also lead to slips.
Driving conditions could also become hazardous with surface flooding and poor visibility in heavy rain.