Bay of Plenty and Coromandel residents are being warned to prepare for another lashing of thunderstorms this afternoon.

An active front is expected to move northeast over most of central and northern New Zealand today and overnight tonight.

The MetService is forecasting thunderstorms for the Bay of Plenty this afternoon.

There is a high risk of thunderstorms ahead of and with this front for western areas from central Westland to Northland, including Auckland in the overnight hours.

The MetService says the Bay of Plenty and Coromandel can expect the severe weather to hit from late this afternoon and into the evening.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued, with a front moving over the country 2day/early 2moro. https://t.co/4NYFdGGdDw ^CF https://t.co/j00nc1GvkD

— MetService (@MetService) May 19, 2016

'Overnight Friday to before dawn Saturday, squally winds and possible tornados may cause some structural damage, including damage to trees and power lines, and make driving hazardous,” says the weather organisation.

'If any tornados occur, they will only affect localised areas.”

From Saturday afternoon until around midnight Saturday, localised heavy falls of 10mm to 20mm per hour possible for a time, especially with any thunderstorms.

Thunderstorms moving up the west coast of #NZ today. Thunderstorm outlook: https://t.co/grZ6HpoxOi ^CF pic.twitter.com/Vn2w7t6SUM

— MetService (@MetService) May 19, 2016