Live weather: Heavy downpours batter Auckland, thunderstorms tipped for North Island

Heavy rain has battered Auckland, sparking surface flooding and warnings of hazardous driving conditions.

Dozens of flights have been delayed at Auckland Airport and the MetService issued a severe thunderstorm warning for parts of the city, which has now been lifted.

Thunderstorms and heavy downpours are due across the North Island this afternoon and evening.

A thunderstorm watch is in place for large parts of the upper North Island.

Heavy rain warnings are in place for Northland, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Tongariro National Park and Taranaki, while watches have been issued for Waikato, Nelson, Wellington and Kāpiti Coast, the Richmond and Byrant Ranges, Auckland and Great Barrier Island, Coromandel and Bay of Plenty.

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“Rainfall of this intensity can cause surface and/or flash flooding, especially about low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys, and may also lead to slips,” MetService said.

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