Weather: North Island rain, lightning, thunderstorms for Auckland, Northland

More than 2500 lightning strikes have blitzed the top of the North Island this morning as a cluster of thundery cells bombards Auckland and Northland.

Dark skies have been illuminated by bolts of lightning as thunderstorms rumble over the upper part of the island.

Almost no part of the North Island is expected to escape rain today as a front crosses over the island bringing downpours and thunderstorms.

Thunderstorms were also detected moving over Taranaki mid-morning with a smaller rain band starting to sweep across Wellington.

Heavy rain watches are now in force for Northland, Auckland including Great Barrier Island and Bay of Plenty.

Niwa says lightning detectors show there have been more than 2500 strikes around New Zealand and the eastern Tasman Sea so far today.

10am action over the North Island. ⚡ Thunderstorms moving onto Taranaki.
☔ Rain band moving over Auckland.
☂ Smaller rain band over Wellington.
Also some areas of rain in a few other places. Check the radar here https://t.co/prKU7NLNY1 ^SG pic.twitter.com/6qlCHRC3Ug

— MetService (@MetService) March 9, 2023

MetService says thunderstorms started lashing Northland around 9am. Lightning strikes have been detected in the southern part of the region.

Auckland is also set for electrical storms this morning.

MetService says the front is expected to cross Auckland from mid-morning to early afternoon bringing with it a burst of heavy rain.

Thunderstorms are likely across parts of the upper North Island.

Earlier this morning a “cluster of thunder cells” were heading towards Auckland and Northland, invigorated by the subtropical jet stream.

A cluster of thundery cells are moving in from the NW off the Tasman towards the Auckland & Northland this morning ahead of a front. The subtropical jet stream is currently invigorating this group of heavy showers, with intermittent lightning strikes being detected. pic.twitter.com/vLq8FoBuaJ

— Hauraki Gulf Weather (@GulfHauraki) March 9, 2023

A heavy rain watch came into force for Auckland and Northland from 8am. Rain is expected to fall until after lunch and MetService advises amounts may approach warning criteria.

The forecaster says the top of the country will experience a period of heavy rain and isolated thunderstorms.

🟡 Heavy Rain Watches 🟡
Rain moving across the North Island today with thunderstorms.
Northland
Auckland
and
Bay of Plenty east of Opotiki. https://t.co/qHyE5zzql5 pic.twitter.com/xTwXR5S5KH

— MetService (@MetService) March 9, 2023

The front is expected to clear the North Island overnight and the forecast for Saturday and Sunday is looking much more settled as high pressure dominates.

The only fly in the ointment for a generally dry forecast across the country is a front expected over the lower South Island on Sunday.