Hail pelts down during Tauranga severe weather warning

Hail pelts down in Welcome Bay. Photo/Bee Cortesi

A severe weather warning has been issued for parts of the Bay of Plenty as rain and hail pelt down on Tauranga.

Rain has bucketed down throughout parts of the Western Bay of Plenty this morning and Metservice warns more rain is likely.

From 9am today to 6am tomorrow periods of heavy rain or showers are expected. In the eastern ranges of Bay of Plenty and Gisborne, between 70mm and 100mm of rain is expected to accumulate. Peak intensities of 15mm to 20mm per hour and possible thunderstorms was also expected.

In Tauranga, Metservice has recorded 1.8mm of rain already since 10am today.