The Bay of Plenty is being put on high alert for thunderstorms as the MetService issues a watch for the region.

Northland, Auckland, Great Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula and the Waikato also have watches issued.

'Over northern New Zealand, that is from Northland through Auckland to northern Waikato and across to the Coromandel Peninsula and western Bay of Plenty, there is a moderate risk that significant convection or slow moving rainbands could bring localised downpours of 25 to 45mm/hr, with or without thunderstorms,” says the MetService.

'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.”

Driving conditions will also be hazardous with surface flooding and poor visibility in heavy rain.

Note

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are favourable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.

People in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and monitor for possible Severe Thunderstorm Warnings.