Tauranga residents urged to stay indoors as heavy rain and thunderstorms expected

Tauranga residents are urged to stay indoors this afternoon as the city is expected to face wild weather. Photo/Weatherwatch

Tauranga residents are urged to stay indoors this afternoon as the city is expected to face isolated thunderstorms, strong gales and downpours that may last until tomorrow morning.

Metservice says an active trough is expected to move into the Bay of Plenty this afternoon bringing possible thunderstorms and wind gusts that could cause some structural damage, including trees and power lines, and may make driving hazardous.

Weatherwatch head weather analyst Philip Duncan said Tauranga could expect thunderstorms, downpours and gales.

He said it may not impact the whole city but parts of Tauranga could be hit.

"Be prepared for very heavy rainfall," Duncan said.

Duncan said the wild weather was likely to strike mid-afternoon, easing up this evening and overnight.

Temperatures were also likely to drop to 6C and Duncan said today's weather conditions signified the "beginning of the cold snap" and with heavy thunderstorms likely, people should avoid going outside.

"It's the first major cold snap," Duncan said.

"Be prepared to be indoors," he said.

"Thunderstorms, they are the most deadly form of weather."