Severe thunderstorms possible in North Island

Hold on to your brolly - wild weather is on the way for the North Island. Photo / Thinkstock

A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for the central and upper North Island today.

MetService is warning people in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Waitomo, Taumaranui and Taranaki.

An active cold front was expected to move across central and northern New Zealand this morning with showers and squally thunderstorms.

Some squally wind gusts could reach more than 120km an hour.

There's also the risk of small tornadoes, especially in coastal areas.