A thunderstorm watch issued for yestreday, remains in place today.

The MetService issued the severe weather watch as an active front moved across the country.

In an updated statement this morning, the MetService said the front is expected to move eastwards across the central North Island this morning, bringing a period of heavy rain.

A wet period is expected tonight into early tomorrow for Northland, Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula, and Bay of Plenty

Some areas may experience more intense bursts of rain, with a possibility of pockets of surface flooding pic.twitter.com/vVgTpFHJaF

— MetService (@MetService) October 1, 2024

"About Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty and the far northwest of Gisborne/Tairawhiti, there is a moderate risk of localised downpours of 25 to 40 mm/h with this front. This risk should ease from the west during this morning.

"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.

"Some of these thunderstorms may also be squally, and produce strong wind gusts of 90 to 110 km/h or possibly stronger. Wind gusts of this strength can cause some structural damage, including trees and power lines, and may make driving hazardous."

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 Ready website