Severe thunderstorm warning issued for Northland

Northland motorists have been hampered by heavy downpours in recent days. Photo / Tania Whyte

Metservice has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Northland, expected to last into the evening.

The watch was issued at 11.45am today and is in force until 9pm.

"Isolated thunderstorms are expected to develop about Northland and Auckland early this afternoon, with localised heavy rain."

Severe thunderstorms are expected to hit western and southern parts of Northland, south of Kaitāia, between about 1pm and 9pm.

Local wind gusts up to 60 to 70kmp/h may accompany the oncoming thunderstorms.

Metservice predicted heavy downpours of 25 to 40mm/h in some parts of the region and further south in Auckland.

"Rainfall of this intensity can cause surface and/or flash flooding, especially in urban areas, and about low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys. It may also lead to slips."

The watch included a warning to motorists as driving conditions were expected to be "hazardous" with "surface flooding and poor visibility in heavy rain".

Northland police have already attended multiple minor vehicle crashes since the rain settled in on Monday.

Senior Sergeant Brian Swann, of Northland Police, said drivers needed to be cautious while driving on wet roads.

"Just a reminder for drivers about the conditions, the roads will be greasy after a long period of fine weather. Especially with this light rain, it's worse than a heavy downfall."

The thunderstorm activity should ease and move offshore into the Hauraki Gulf this evening.