Residents on the Coromandel Peninsula area are being warned of the chance of thunderstorms in the region this afternoon as an active front moves over the country.

The MetService has issued a thunderstorm watch for Northland and the far north of Auckland, including Great Barrier Island.

Thunderstorms may roll in over the Coromandel later this evening.

As the front moves across the country, there is a chance thunderstorms could reach northern part of Auckland and the Coromandel Peninsula later tonight.

'In these areas, storms may produce localised downpours with rain rates of 25-35mm/hr. Rainfall of this intensity can cause flash flooding, especially about low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys, and may also lead to slips,” says a statement from the weather organisation.

'Driving conditions will also be hazardous with surface flooding and poor visibility in heavy rain. Additionally, there is a chance of one or two small tornadoes, especially about and near eastern coasts.”

The MetService says conditions should ease with the passage of the front, but an active trough moves over Northland tonight with further heavy showers and a few thunderstorms.