Just in case you're not aware, the weather is pretty bad out there today.

The latest update from the MetService is that there is a severe thunderstorm risk for most of the North Island.

'Over northern New Zealand, that is from Northland to Taranaki, including Coromandel Peninsula and across Taupo and Bay of Plenty, there is a risk of severe thunderstorms or severe convection during today, bringing a continued risk of localised downpours of 25 to 45mm/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.

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

These severe thunderstorms or severe convection also have the potential to bring strong wind gusts exceeding 110km/hr, as well as the possibility of a small tornado.

Wind gusts of this strength can cause some structural damage, including trees and power lines, and may make driving hazardous.

'If any tornados occur, they will only affect very localised areas and more likely near coastal areas.”

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.

For information on preparing for and keeping safe during a storm, see the Civil Defence Get This watch will be updated by 2.30pm.

Lisa Mcfarlane and her boys checked out how deep the water was on Grenada Street, by Sandhurst Drive.

Roading information from around Tauranga

Road closure: Section of Grenada Street between Sunrise Ave and Sandhurst Drive still closed. Will be monitored through the day. See photo attached from 6.30am this morning.

Land slip: Very minor, a small embankment slip along Oropi Road near the State Highway blocked the footpath/cycle path but not the road. Coned off and will be cleared later today.

Rain-related service requests: Total of 18 calls between 3pm Tuesday till 7.30am.

All relate to water on the roads at Papamoa (Taylor Road and Papamoa Beach Road) and Tauriko (Gargan Road). Contractors assisted the Taylor Road property owner with sandbags at around 10.30pm last night.

No flooding of homes reported. Some surface water on sections.

Water Treatment Plants: Both plants offline this morning due to turbidity (too many small particles of sediment in the water supply streams). Reservoir levels have capacity for morning demand. Joyce Road likely to return to production shortly.