Weather: Warnings of severe thunderstorms and heavy rain for Auckland Northland and Wellington

There are reports of flooding in Wellington tonight after heavy rain and thunderstorms battered the Capital.

Earlier today, MetService issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch that heavy rain and isolated thunderstorms were set to hit parts of Northland, Auckland and Wellington tonight. However, those warnings have since been lifted.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for Wellington Radar Area https://t.co/ydJr6T3hKI pic.twitter.com/OeYxv0HYWM

— MetService Severe Weather Info (@MetServiceWARN) March 22, 2022

Residents in Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt, Porirua and Wainuiomata should expect some thunderstorms that may be followed by heavy rain.

MetService said rain might cause flash or surfaces flooding, and advised motorists to drive to the conditions.

Wellington residents have reported seeing flooding outside Parliament.

Residents said lightning seen across the city was followed by torrential rain just after 8pm.

⛈⛈⛈

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is now in force.

There's the potential that severe cells could bring 25mm+ an hour this afternoon.

Keep an eye here if we observe any severe cells https://t.co/GZIq9J48pw

See where the showers are now https://t.co/7k3nmeeZKF pic.twitter.com/aM1KHzGR8C

— MetService (@MetService) March 22, 2022

MetService said there could be downpours of 25 to 40mm/hr to localised areas which may cause surface and/or flash flooding, especially in low-lying areas.

This warning comes a day after the upper North Island was hit by wet and wild weather causing flooding across Auckland and Northland.

On Monday morning, Auckland recorded one of its wettest hours on record as a major thunder and lightning storm caused widespread flooding and chaos across the city and northern regions.

Between 8am and 9am, Auckland's Albany weather station recorded its wettest hour - 76.88mm - on record, said Niwa. "This seems likely to become the wettest hour across the Auckland region on record, but we'll need to scour the record books!"

More than 4000 lightning strikes were recorded in one hour - with 700 in just five minutes. Massive thunderclaps and lightning filled Auckland skies from 7am.

Heavy rain is forecast for eastern North Island regions over the coming days 💦

We have a number of Heavy Rain Watches and Warnings for this event, details at: https://t.co/qHyE5zySvx

People are urged to keep up to date with the latest forecasts at: https://t.co/Yjbq0jfCz1 pic.twitter.com/8E440Izn8W

— MetService (@MetService) March 22, 2022

Meanwhile, on the eastern part of the North Island, orange heavy rain warnings have been issued for Hawke's Bay, Gisborne and the Bay of Plenty.

Some 150 to 230mm of rain was expected to accumulate while localised areas might see more rain. MetService was encouraging residents in these areas to drive to the conditions as surface flooding and slips might happen.

🔶Potentially significant rain event🔶

❗ A band of rain fueled by warm, subtropical air brings the risk for areas of significant flooding in Bay of Plenty and Gisborne from Wednesday.

There is the potential for upgrades to a Red Warning.

Details https://t.co/qHyE5zzql5 pic.twitter.com/wzzqk1YqTG

— MetService (@MetService) March 21, 2022