Wild weather leaves a trail of flooding

Storm front hitting Auckland city. Photo / Dean Purcell

The worst of the wild weather has passed for most across the country, but not before leaving a trail of flooding from torrential rain and three petrified chickens in its wake.

MetService meteorologist Arno Dyason said there would be a "general easing trend" across all of the main centres.

"The band of heavy rain and thunderstorms have moved off to the east of New Zealand.

"There's a couple of good showers around most of the North Island and also the western part of the South Island but a lot of the really heavier showers, rain and thunderstorms have all moved off."

WeatherWatch's Philip Duncan said the thunderstorm risk is "mostly over for the Auckland region", with more pleasant conditions expected to move in.

A severe thunderstorm watch remains in place until 6pm for Waitomo, Taranaki, Taumarunui, Taihape, Whanganui, Nelson and Buller.

Torrential rain in Hamilton put drivers on edge as streets flooded, with police advising motorists to watch following distances, put headlights on and keep speed down.

A number of streets suffered surface flooding due to the heavy rain. Roads affected included Cobham Dr and Maeroa Rd.

In Waiuku a car bonnet was ripped off during a thunderstorm, landing perilously close to some chickens.

Luckily all poultry involved avoided serious harm.

Auckland: Significant damage with today's thunderstorms near Waiuku/Waipipi. Not certain tornado or squall as yet^GG pic.twitter.com/yiq0YZ90s7

— MetService (@MetService) May 18, 2016

Mr Dyason said Auckland could expect one or two showers throughout the evening, while further south there was a strong wind warning for Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa with wind gusts of up to 140km/h expected.

While the storm is easing, wild weather is expected to strike again on Friday.

While it was 15C today, temperatures would rise to 20C tomorrow and 21C on Friday.

Despite the heavy downpour in South Auckland, Auckland Airport operations shift manager said no domestic flights were affected.

"The weather system is zipping up the country and it will go by dusk," said Weather Watch head analyst Philip Duncan said.

Wellington had a "rough morning" today with heavy rain, but it would clear by this evening.

Temperatures would rise to 17C tomorrow with gusty northwesterlies.

However there was a chance of another thunderstorm striking Auckland on Friday.

Also developing that day, and the possibility to continue on Saturday, western coast line and central areas of the country could expect thunderstorm, hail and rain,

Areas affected included Cook Strait and would be more "significant" than the storm today.

"It will be the significant nationwide system this year," Mr Duncan said.

"More people will be affected too."

Mr Duncan said at some point during Friday and Saturday, most areas of the country would get a "burst of heavy rain and isolated thunderstorms".

"It's good news for farmers in the east coast who are waiting for rain and also for skiers and snowboarders too."