Thunderstorms could hit the central North Island this afternoon. Photo: MetService
Heavy rain and severe thunderstorms could be on the way for the central North Island this afternoon.
MetService issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Monday.
It said between 3pm and 10pm it could hit southern Waikato, eastern Waitomo, Taumarunui, Taupō and the far southwest of Rotorua.
Downpours of 25-40mm an hour could also hit, it said.
"Rainfall of this intensity can cause surface and/or flash flooding, especially about low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys, and may also lead to slips.
"Driving conditions will also be hazardous with surface flooding and poor visibility in heavy rain."
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"While the dry grounds will welcome some rain, falling all at once isn't ideal and poses a greater risk of surface flooding and hazardous driving conditions," MetService Meteorologist Katie Hillyer warned.
These thunderstorms are expected to be slow moving, meaning they sit over an area for longer and pose a risk of localised downpours of 25 to 40 mm/h, Hillyer added.
On Tuesday, showers and thunderstorms are expected again, this time reaching up into the upper North Island, but are currently at a lower risk of being severe.
Eastern areas of both islands will continue to see the cooler temperatures seen for much of the summer already, with some showers associated with a weak front moving northwards.
"Even with the return of high pressure, southerly winds will keep the east coast cloudier and cooler until later this week. However, for spots like Central Otago temperatures are set to creep back towards 30°C for the end of the week," Hillyer said.
