Weather: Thunderstorm watch for Bay of Plenty, Rotorua and Taupō

A thunderstorm watch is in place for Bay of Plenty, Rotorua and Taupō this afternoon.

MetService issued the watch about just before 2pm and said the watch was in place until 9pm.

"Today's Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been reissued with a slightly increased area based on the cells developing near Rotorua.

"There is a risk that a few of them could become severe producing localised downpours with intensities of 25 to 40 mm per hour.

"There may also be hail," MetService said.

🟡 Today's Severe Thunderstorm Watch 🌩 has been reissued with a slightly increased area based on the cells developing near Rotorua.

Latest updates at https://t.co/GZIq9Jlbrw https://t.co/66Zh3YxMEa

— MetService (@MetService) November 9, 2021

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.

Driving conditions will also be hazardous with surface flooding and poor visibility in heavy rain.

The thunderstorms should ease this evening.

MetService will continue to monitor the situation closely for severe thunderstorm development and will issue further updates.