A severe thunderstorm warning has been put int place for the Bay of Plenty.
The watch also affects people in the Waikato, Taumarunui and Rotorua.
A combination of humid subtropical air, and afternoon and early evening wind convergences, are likely to trigger heavy showers and thunderstorms about the central North Island and parts of Northland today.
There is a moderate risk of these thunderstorms becoming severe, producing localised downpours and torrential rain of 25 to 40mm/hr and possibly more. Rainfall of this intensity can cause flash flooding, especially about low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys, and may also lead to slips.
