The dreary summer weather continues for many today, with a slew of severe thunderstorm watches in place across the top half of the North Island amid the threat of torrential downpours and hail.
Thunderstorms are already occurring in parts of Bay of Plenty and were expected to become more widespread – including in Rotorua and the Coromandel Peninsula – during the day, with a watch in place till 11pm, MetService wrote in its latest weather warnings and watches update.
“Torrential rain can cause surface and/or flash flooding about streams, gullies and urban areas, and make driving conditions extremely hazardous.
“Hail can cause damage to crops, orchards and vines and may make driving conditions hazardous.”
Severe thunderstorm watches have also been issued for Auckland, Northland, Waikato, Waitomo, Taupō and Hawke’s Bay from noon to 7pm.
🟨 ⛈️Severe thunderstorm Watches are in force for Northland, Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Waikato, Waitomo, Taupo, and Hawkes Bay.
— MetService NZ (@MetService) January 2, 2026
Bringing downpours of 25-40mm
‼️Impacts: surface and/or flash flooding, slips,
hazardous driving conditions.
Details… pic.twitter.com/1xNOqrOS8w
Hawke’s Bay north of Napier is already under a heavy rain warning, with 90mm to 140mm expected, especially in the ranges, and 170mm possible in Wairoa District, MetService said.
The 18-hour warning ends at 3am tomorrow but heavy rain was expected to ease south of the Wairoa District late tonight.
“Peak rates of 15 to 25mm/h, but 25 to 40mm/h in possible localised downpours. Thunderstorms expected today … will increase the risk of downpours.”
🟧Heavy Rain Warnings have been updated for Tairawhiti/Gisborne, and Hawke's Bay north of Napier.
— MetService NZ (@MetService) January 2, 2026
⛈️Thunderstorms may bring downpours of 25-40mm/h.
‼️Surface flooding, slips and difficult driving conditions possible.
Details herehttps://t.co/qHyE5zzql5@hbemergency… pic.twitter.com/it0CbihBWB
A 22-hour heavy rain warning for Gisborne/Tairāwhiti begins at noon today with 110 to 170mm of rain forecast, especially in the ranges, MetService said.
Peak rates of 15mm to 25mm/h were also expected, increasing to 25 to 40mm/h in possible localised downpours through to early tomorrow morning, and thunderstorms were also possible.
“Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible,” MetService said of all areas under heavy rainfall warnings.
Northland and Auckland were also affected by thunderstorms that crossed the top of the country yesterday afternoon, with a Grey Lynn villa and a Mangawhai home catching fire after being struck by lightning.
Firefighters put both fires out, along with a tree set alight by a lightning strike on Auckland’s Kawau Island.
A potential repeat today was because of a low headed for the top of the country.
“Unstable conditions are expected during the afternoon as a low crosses the northern North Island and some thunderstorms are expected”, MetService said.
“For the east and south of Northland south of Kerikeri … and [for] Auckland there is a chance some of these thunderstorms will become severe this afternoon, bringing localised downpours with intensities of 25 to 40mm/h.”
Mōrena, good morning.
— MetService NZ (@MetService) January 2, 2026
Here are your temperatures at 7am, ranging from 9 °C in Invercargill to 18 °C up in Gisborne.
Weather theme today:
⛈️North Island: Thunderstorms north of Palmy.
🌦️South Island: A clearing trend, as high pressure builds.
All the details here… pic.twitter.com/JTdXbD5ukA
The thunderstorms should ease early evening, but rainfall of this intensity could cause surface or flash flooding, slips and hazardous conditions for motorists, they said.
Similar thunderstorm conditions are also possible in Waikato (south of Hamilton), Waitomo, Taupō (north of Tūrangi), and in Hawke’s Bay’s Cape Kidnappers area and inland from Napier southwards this afternoon.