The latest thunderstorm outlook from the MetService says there is a moderate risk of thunderstorms for the Bay of Plenty.

Daytime heating and wind convergence over inland parts of the central North Island are expected to produce a few showers during the afternoon and evening.

'Some of these showers are likely to be heavy and there is a broad low risk of thunderstorms from Auckland and Coromandel Peninsula to Taihape, and across Bay of Plenty and Taupo to Gisborne, Hawke's Bay and the Tararua District,” says the MetService.

'However, about inland Waikato and Waitomo, about Taumarunui and western areas of the Bay of Plenty and Taupo the risk of thunderstorms is considered moderate.

'These thunderstorms may bring localised heavy rain of 10 to 25mm per hour and hail.”

As the frontal system moves over the South Island today there are a number of thunderstorm risk areas. The North Island is also included in today's Thunderstorm Outlook so there is plenty to keep an eye on today. More information at https://t.co/BZWb7ZPiRd^MB pic.twitter.com/LDbUbn53rG

— MetService (@MetService) January 12, 2019