Thunderstorm warnings lifted but watch remains for Bay of Plenty and Hawke’s Bay

A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for Bay of Plenty, Taupō, Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay.

MetService said some of these thunderstorms may become severe and could produce localised downpours or large hail.

The earlier severe thunderstorm warnings for areas such as Wairoa, parts of the Bay of Plenty and Hawke’s Bay this afternoon have since been lifted.

MetService earlier said severe thunderstorms were detected near Wairoa, Rangiahua and Cricklewood shortly after 1pm and were moving east-southeast.

They were expected to lie near Wairoa, Frasertown and Whakakī between 1.50pm and 2.20pm.

The agency warned very heavy rain could cause surface or flash flooding around streams, gullies and urban areas, and make driving conditions hazardous. Wairoa residents are urged to take shelter, secure loose items and avoid waterways.

A similar warning was placed on Gisborne after MetService weather radar detected severe thunderstorms near Gisborne, Waimata and Ormond.

At 3pm, MetService detected a line of severe thunderstorms lying from Otamarakau to Te Teko to Ōpōtiki and issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Ōpōtiki, Western Bay of Plenty and Whakatāne.

Meanwhile, Central Hawke’s Bay and Hastings were put under a severe thunderstorm warning, with thunderstorms expected to lie near Elsthorpe at 3.37pm and near offshore Central Hawke’s Bay and offshore southern Hawke’s Bay at 4.07pm.

The thunderstorms were expected to be accompanied by torrential rain, hail and frequent lightning.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 🔴

Area: Central Hawkes Bay, Hastings

Forecast: At 02:15 pm, MetService weather radar detected severe thunderstorms near TIKOKINO, BRIDGE PA, MARAEKAKAHO, PAKIPAKI, TE HAUKE, PUKEHOU, POUKAWA and GWAVAS.

These severe thunderstorms are moving towards… pic.twitter.com/8ktKefn0hU

— MetService NZ (@MetService) November 14, 2025

A severe thunderstorm watch remains in place for Bay of Plenty, Taupō, Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay until 7pm.

People in the watch area are advised rainfall of this intensity can cause surface or flash flooding in low-lying areas near streams, rivers or narrow valleys.

MetService said this weather could also trigger slips, while large hail may damage crops, glasshouses and vehicles, and make driving hazardous.

Elsewhere, two road snowfall warnings are in place for the South Island, both lasting into Saturday morning.

Severe thunderstorm warnings are in place for Gisborne and Wairoa. Image / MetService

The road snowfall warning on Crown Range Rd lasts for 20 hours from 3pm today to 11am tomorrow, with snow possible above 800m this afternoon.

MetService said little snow was expected to settle on the roads.

Milford Rd has a nine-hour road snowfall warning from 10pm to 7am tomorrow.

Snow showers are expected late on Friday, with 1-2cm possibly settling on the road above 800m.

Despite some rain earlier today, Auckland is forecast to have a sunnier afternoon and a clear evening.

A few showers may develop late tomorrow morning, but MetService expects these to clear in the afternoon.

On Sunday, the North Island should experience mainly fine weather, with isolated showers in the afternoon and evening in Northland.

The South Island is expected to be fine, apart from cloudy periods and isolated showers for Fiordland and Stewart Island/Rakiura.

Rain is forecast to return to parts of the North Island on Monday, with isolated showers in the north and west.

A similar pattern is expected in the South Island from Buller to Fiordland.