A thunderstorm watch has been issued for the Bay of Plenty as a front moved slowly eastward across the Bay of Plenty this evening.

The MetService issued a severe weather warning earlier this morning and have now put a thunderstorm watch in place for the area.

People braving the heavy rain to watch a secondary school rugby match at Otumoetai College this afternoon.

'The thunderstorms are most likely about central and eastern parts of Bay of Plenty/Rotorua (mainly from Tauranga and Rotorua cities eastwards) after about 6pm, when a few may severe producing localised downpours of 25 to 35mm/hr,” says a statement from the weather organisation.

'Rainfall of this intensity can cause surface and/or 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.”

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

The watch is valid until 3am.