Severe thunderstorm watch for Rotorua, Bay of Plenty and Taupo

A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, and Taupo. Photo/Metservice

A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for Rotorua, Bay of Plenty and Taupo.

MetService said an active trough was expected to move east onto these areas during Tuesday morning accompanied by squally thunderstorms and possibly bringing wind gusts of more than 110km/h.

An overnight low of 4C will see a chilly change as a big low develops in the Tasman Sea moving north dragging up a lot of cold air from the Antarctic.

A trough moves over the North Island Tuesday morning & early afternoon brings with it the potential for severe 🌩 . A short period of rainfall rates of 10-25mm/h & gusts up to 110km/h are possible so be prepared if you are heading out on the road https://t.co/BZWb806UfN ^AC pic.twitter.com/GEnO8iN7uj

— MetService (@MetService) April 9, 2018

Wednesday sees a few morning showers turning to fine spells, while showers and cloudy periods are on the cards for Thursday and Friday.

Temperature highs of 13C for Wednesday, 14C Thursday, and 16C for Friday are expected.

The weekend will see more showers for the region.

Meanwhile rain is expected to turn to snow in the Central North Island from Tuesday evening, easing to showers Wednesday morning. From about 9pm Tuesday to 9am Wednesday 5 to 10cm could accumulate about the summit, with lesser amounts to 700 metres.