Thunderstorms, rain and hail on the way for the Bay of Plenty

Metservice has issued a severe thunderstorm warning to the Bay of Plenty and Rotorua for this afternoon. Photo/ File

It looks like thunderstorms, rain and hail could be on the horizon for the Bay of Plenty today.

According to Metservice, humid conditions over the North Island are likely to lead to thunderstorms developing this afternoon and evening in many places including the Bay of Plenty, including Tauranga and Rotorua.

Metservice said some of the thunderstorms could become severe this afternoon and evening about southeast Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Taupo, eastern Taihape, inland
Gisborne and the ranges of Hawkes Bay and northern Manawatu/Tararua District.

With the severe thunderstorms, localised downpours with rainfall intensities of
25 to 40mm per hour were possible.

There could also be hail of 5 to 15mm in diameter, Metservice warned.

Rainfall of this intensity can cause flash flooding, especially in low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys, and may also lead to slips.

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