People in Auckland and the Coromandel Peninsula are being urged to keep an eye out for heavy rain and thunderstorms on Monday afternoon.
A low-pressure system to the west of New Zealand will push a front over the northern North Island today, bringing both a band of heavy rain and the moderate risk of thunderstorms.
MetService has issued a heavy rain watch for Auckland, Great Barrier Island and the Coromandel Peninsula between 2pm Monday and 2pm Tuesday.
"A band of heavy rain is expected to lie slow-moving over the area. There is some uncertainty as to exactly where the heaviest rain will fall, but rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria in the vicinity of this rain-band," it says.
And it warns there is a moderate risk of thunderstorms associated with the front affecting parts of Northland, Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula and Waikato until midnight Monday.
"These thunderstorms may produce small hail and localised heavy rain with intensities of 15 to 25mm per hour. Additionally, there is a low risk that these storms could become severe, with localised downpours which may bring rainfall rates of 25 to 40mm/h," it states.
"Outside this area, the remainder of the North Island from about Waikato northwards has a low risk of thunderstorms."
From midnight until midday Tuesday, the moderate risk of thunderstorms remains for Great Barrier Island and the north of the Coromandel Peninsula.
"There is a low risk of thunderstorms in a broader area including the remainder of Auckland and the Coromandel Peninsula and much of Northland," it adds.
"No other areas of severe convection or thunderstorms are expected."
