Bay of Plenty weather update: Strong winds, thunderstorms and hail

MetService has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the Bay of Plenty to 9pm tonight. Photo / NZME

Bay of Plenty residents will need to brace themselves for thunderstorms, hail and possible coastal tornadoes as MetService warns of unstable weather conditions across the country.

"There is some more rain coming," MetService meteorologist Stephen Glassey said.

Glassey reported the coldest temperatures for the day would likely be in Rotorua which had a current temperature of 9C and an expected high of 13C.

Tauranga could expect marginally warmer temperatures with a low of 12C and a high of 17C.

MetService's severe thunderstorm watch warning for the region is still in place today.

The alert said New Zealanders could expect frequent thunderstorms from the early hours of Sunday.

The thunderstorms are forecast to bring heavy rain, hail, strong squally wind
gusts, and possibly some small tornadoes about coastal areas.

Another heavy rain warning is in place from 10am for the Bay of Plenty east of Kawerau.

Another Heavy Rain Warning has been issued for the Bay of Plenty EAST OF Kawerau.

Expect 75 to 100mm of rain.
Peak rates of 15 to 25mm/h, with thunderstorms possible.

This warning is valid from 6:00pm TONIGHT to 9:00am TOMORROWhttps://t.co/U7AhHjujG8

— BOP Civil Defence (@BOPCivilDefence) June 6, 2022

The coastal area has been rocked by thunderstorms this morning and according to MetService there are no signs that will ease.

More thunderstorms are forecast for Monday, but Glassey said the weather was expected to ease from Tuesday with the odd shower sprinkled through the later half of the week.

⚡Lots of lightning strikes detected this morning⚡. With stormy weather forecast for many parts of the country it would be a good idea to keep up to date with the latest severe weather information here https://t.co/qHyE5zzql5 and rain radar here https://t.co/prKU7NLNY1 pic.twitter.com/NNSyjYYnN8

— MetService (@MetService) June 11, 2022