Lightning, 60m tornado in Taupo - reports

Taupo has been experiencing wild weather plagued with thunder and lightning overnight. Photo / Thinkstock

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Lightning and high winds have struck Taupo with reports of a 60m tornado and the roofs of buildings being lifted off in the town.

The Daily Post has received reports of wild weather plagued with thunder and lightning overnight.

Reports of a 60m tornado in the Taupo suburb of Paetiki have come in along with buildings having their roofs blown off.

The Metservice could not confirm the reports but forecaster Geoff Sanders said "it could possibly happen".

"That can happen these days where you get some light winds over the North Island."

Mr Sanders said inland areas of the Bay of Plenty would likely see thundery weather conditions today.

However, he said the weather should clear by Saturday.

Rotorua was subject to a heavy downpour between 4.30am and 5am today, but there have been no reports of damage.

MetService yesterday predicted more waterspouts and funnel clouds could be on the way, issuing a severe thunderstorm watch for Northland, Waikato, Waitomo, Taumaranui, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Taupo and Taranaki.

A swarm of waterspouts spotted in Auckland's Waitemata Harbour on Wednesday sent Twitter and social media users into a frenzy.

Mr McDavitt said they could reappear because the weather system that brought them remained in place.

"Warm, moist air, combined with converging winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere, and day time heating,'' he said. "If you hear thunder, seek shelter.''