MetService's rain radar as of 6.13am on Sunday. Photo: Supplied / MetService
A severe thunderstorm warning has been lifted for the Far North.
MetService's weather radar had detected them near Kaitaia, the Maungataniwha Range and Victoria Valley early Sunday morning.
"These severe thunderstorms are moving towards the southsoutheast, and are expected to lie near Mangamuka, Broadwood, and the Maungataniwha Range at 07.22 am and near Rawene, Mangamuka, and Kohukohu at 7.52 am," MetService said.
The thunderstorms were expected to be accompanied by torrential rain, it added.
The forecaster said no thunderstorms had occurred in Northland overnight, but the potential for periods of heavy rain, thunderstorms and possible downpours continued on Sunday.
On Saturday night, MetService added a yellow severe thunderstorm watch for Northland, which was already under a yellow heavy rain watch. It will be in place from 8pm Saturday to 3pm Sunday, warning of: "periods of heavy rain, with thunderstorms and downpours possible. Amounts may approach warning criteria and possibly exceed them about isolated areas, especially in downpours."
️Rain has arrived in Northland.
— MetService (@MetService) April 26, 2025
Warm, moist air is being pulled over the country over the next couple of days by a low in the north Tasman Sea.
⛈️There is a risk of thunderstorms and downpours for the upper North Island during this time, so keep up to date with the latest… pic.twitter.com/WzCHTJRlHc
Many parts of Northland and Auckland have been hit hard by heavy rain, storms and flooding this month, first in early April, then last week, by the rain-sodden and slow-moving ex-Tropical Cyclone Tam weather system.
Auckland and Coromandel Peninsula - and the areas surrounding them - could also have heavy rain and thunderstorms heading their way this weekend, too, MetService forecasters said.
"An active front will lie slow-moving close to the north of the North Island over the next few days... Warm, moist air is being pulled over the country ...by [the] low in the north Tasman Sea."
People are advised to stay up-to-date on the latest changes to the forecast, on MetService's watches and warnings page.
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