Waikato and the Coromandel Peninsula could experience severe thunderstorms, intense downpours and hail today, says MetService.
It has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the six hours from 2pm to 8pm.
MetService said thunderstorms were expected to develop about northern regions of the North Island this afternoon and continue into the evening, producing heavy rain and hail.
“However, in areas of Auckland, Waikato, Coromandel Peninsula, and Bay of Plenty west of Rotorua, there is a moderate risk that some of the thunderstorms could become severe, producing localised downpours of 25-45 millimetres an hour.”
It said rainfall of this intensity could cause surface and/or flash flooding, “especially about low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys, and may also lead to slips”.
