Auckland has recorded more than a months' worth of rain in just 10 hours overnight Monday.
Roads have been submerged, businesses flooded and many cars have been in need of a tow.
But now the sun is out in the Super City and the wild weather was expected to move further down the North Island on Monday afternoon.
Heavy rain warnings remain in place for Waikato and Bay of Plenty west of Opotoki.
This article is no longer being updated. More on Newshub Live at 6pm and Newshub Live at 8pm.
4:37pm - The flooding in the image below was at Auckland's Orewa College.
In an update on Monday afternoon, principal Greg Pierce confirmed the college would reopen on Tuesday.
4:30pm - Many Auckland beaches are unsafe to swim at after the heavy rainfall on Monday. Click here for a the full list.
4:27pm - Between 9am and 10am on Monday, the Auckland suburb of Māngere had its wettest hour on record - with 52mm on rain falling, NIWA says.
4:06pm - NIWA warns there's more rain and thunderstorms on the way between Tuesday and Thursday.
MetService's thunderstorm outlook says there's a low risk of thunderstorms for much of the North Island on Tuesday afternoon, as well as inland parts of the South Island.
"From [Tuesday] evening onwards a trough is expected to bring widespread rain to the northeast of the North Island, with a moderate risk of embedded thunderstorms from northern Gisborne westwards through Bay of Plenty to Coromandel Peninsula," MetService says.
"Any thunderstorms that occur are expected to bring localised heavy rain of 10 to 25mm/h."
4pm - Earlier, powerful waves breaking on Auckland's Tamaki Dr were caught on camera.
Footage provided to Newshub showed large waves crashing onto the sea wall early on Monday morning.
3:45pm - The below tweet shows flooding around Auckland's Newmarket and Epsom suburbs.
3:30pm - For an assortment of pictures captured of Monday's storm, click here.
3:15pm - The below Twitter post shows flooding in the Auckland suburb of Onehunga on Monday morning.
3pm - Sunny spells and muggy weather have developed across the upper North Island after the wild conditions.
WeatherWatch says the heavy rain and thunderstorms continue to track south down the country.
2:45pm - MetService says the active front that caused the wild weather in Auckland on Monday moves to the east overnight.
"However, the wet weather continues for many this week as a deep low pressure system approaches from the west," the forecaster says.
2:30pm - Although severe thunderstorm watches and warnings have been lifted, "thunderstorm activity" may continue for some of Monday afternoon and evening, MetService warns.
2:15pm - MetService says Auckland's ran rates on Monday morning ranged between 50 and 70mm per hour.
"This is a very intense amount of rain but still a ways off the top two hourly records for the Auckland region," the forecaster says.
"Also bear in mind anything over 6mm/hr is classified as heavy."
2:06pm - The NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi has closed State Highway 10's Waitangi River Bridge in Northland to heavy vehicles over safety concerns. All other vehicles can continue using the bridge with a 50km/h speed limit in place.
"We understand removing access to the Waitangi River Bridge will cause disruption for overweight vehicle permit holders and we apologise in advance for the inconvenience," says Waka Kotahi's Jacqui Hori-Hoult.
"While further investigation into strengthening works are carried out, a detour will be in place via SH1.
"All those with current overweight vehicle permits will have a variation automatically applied to their permit to use the SH1 detour from today and we will remain in close communication with our freight partner as things progress."
1:45pm - While the rain has eased in the North Island for now, WeatherWatch says it can expect plenty more over the next week - particularly in the north-east.
1:23pm - WeatherWatch says the heavy rain and thunderstorms continue to track southwards and have eased somewhat in the past hour or so.
1:05pm - Waka Kotahi says the southbound Mt Wellington Highway has reopened again, following earlier flooding.
1pm - Whangārei District Council have provided an update on roads affected by the torrential rain that hit the area on Monday morning.
Whangārei mayor Sheryl Mai said some spots were completely unaffected, while others had torrential rain.
12:55pm - A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for the Bay of Plenty as the wild weather shifts south down the country.
12:49pm - MetService is predicting the "severe weather" to continue for the next four days following the torrential that continues to hit parts of the North Island.
Here is a MetService outlook until Friday:
MetService is forecasting wet and windy weather across northern and central Aotearoa New Zealand this week as a deep low-pressure system and associated fronts move across the country.
Several Watches and Warnings are currently in place today (Monday) for heavy rain and severe thunderstorms as an active front moves across the country.
Several Severe Thunderstorm Warnings had been issued early this morning ahead of the impacts of downpours and thunderstorms seen in Northland and Auckland which caused major disruptions to the Auckland morning commute.
MetService Meteorologist Ashlee Parkes elaborates, "Torrential rain was recorded across Northland overnight and into Auckland this morning. From midnight through to 10am this morning, Whangārei Airport reported 96.6mm of rainfall, with 64.4mm of that falling within an hour. On average Whangārei Airport receives 110mm of rainfall in March, so they had about half a month's rainfall in 60 minutes".
Parkes continues, "We currently have Heavy Rain Warnings for Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato and eastern Bay of Plenty through until later today, with Heavy Rain Watches covering a few other central North Island and northern South Island regions. In addition, a Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in place for Coromandel Peninsula and Waikato".
While this morning's downpours were intense, they were still a wee way from Auckland records. Leigh recorded 109.4mm/hr in May 2001 which broke the record held by Whenuapai in Feb 1966 (107mm/hr).
This front continues to move east across the country today, bringing scattered rain to northern and central New Zealand, before clearing to the east on Tuesday. However, the wet weather continues for many as the low-pressure system follows closely behind on Wednesday.
Parkes continues "Most regions will see rain during the week as the low-pressure system slowly moves across the country. There is a possibility for further heavy falls for some North Island regions on Wednesday. Southland is the only region that may not see any rain this week, with only a few showers forecast for Thursday".
Residents of the North Island are advised to remain up to date with MetService forecasts during the first half of this week. Current models suggest the low-pressure system moves away to the east of the country during Thursday, bringing a mostly settled end to the week.
12:37pm - Fire and Emergency said that have received around 300 flooding related call-outs in Auckland this morning.
"Around 40 crews are now responding to the approximately 200 calls remaining."
12:32pm - Remarkably after torrential rain all morning in Auckland, lots of suburbs around the CBD is now covered in sunshine.
But surface flooding still remains for large parts of Auckland.
In the Auckland suburb of Epsom, people can be seen on kayaks and surfboards as the surface flooding remains.
12:09pm - MetService says the severe thunderstorm watch for Auckland has been lifted but the watch now covers the Coromandel Peninsula and Waikato.
12:05pm - Waka Kotahi has provided an update on the surface flooding adjacent to the Mt Wellington off-ramp.
"Two lanes remain blocked as response crews work to drain the stormwater. Continue to merge right with care and expect southbound delays from Newmarket.
12:02pm - MetService has said a severe thunderstorm warning is in place for Auckland and the Waikato region.
Here is the full statement from MetService:
"At 11:37 am, MetService weather radar detected severe thunderstorms near MARAMARUA, TE KAUWHATA, MANGATAWHIRI, MIRANDA, WAERENGA and THE HUNUA RANGES.
These severe thunderstorms are moving towards the south, and are expected to lie near HAMILTON, HUNTLY, NGARUAWAHIA, TE KAUWHATA, OHINEWAI, WAITERIMU, TAUPIRI, ORINI, GORDONTON and WHITIKAHU at 12:07 pm and near HAMILTON, CAMBRIDGE, GORDONTON, LEAMINGTON, MATANGI, TEMPLE VIEW, HAMILTON AIRPORT and EUREKA at 12:37 pm.
These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by torrential rain and damaging wind gusts.
Torrential rain can cause surface and/or flash flooding about streams, gullies and urban areas, and make driving conditions extremely hazardous.
Very strong wind gusts can break branches from trees, damage roofing, and make driving hazardous especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in force for AUCKLAND, GREAT BARRIER ISLAND, COROMANDEL PENINSULA and WAIKATO.
The National Emergency Management Agency advises that as storms approach you should:
- Take shelter, preferably indoors away from windows;
- Avoid sheltering under trees, if outside;
- Get back to land, if outdoors on the water;
- Move cars under cover or away from trees;
- Secure any loose objects around your property;
- Check that drains and gutters are clear;
- Be ready to slow down or stop, if driving.
During and after the storm, you should also:
- Beware of fallen trees and power lines;
- Avoid streams and drains as you may be swept away in flash flooding.
11:56am - The majority of beaches around Auckland are listed as either "very high risk" or "high risk" of illness from swimming after the severe weather on Monday morning.
"Safeswim water quality models predict that levels of Faecal Indicator Bacteria breach national guidelines for swimming, based on guidance published by the Ministry of Health and Ministry for the Environment."
On the Safe Swim website, they are urging beachgoers to "do not swim" because of the water quality.
11:48am - The rain is starting to ease in Auckland and move south with the heaviest falls forecasted for southern Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, and eastern Bay of Plenty.
11:33am - The ferocious weather that hit Auckland on Monday morning has resulted in several COVID-19 vaccination and testing sites being closed for all or part of the day.
The three drive-through vaccination centres at Orewa, Eventfinda Stadium and Westgate are closed due to flooding and storm damage, while the drive-through operation at Leonard Rd in Mt Wellington has moved indoors for the day.
The Ōtara Vaccination Centre (both the indoor and outdoor sites) have also been closed while staff repair damage.
Seven community testing centres and RAT collections centres have also had to close temporarily, these are:
- Albany - North Harbour Stadium pop up
- Wairau Valley - Eventfinda Stadium
- St Johns - Auckland Netball Centre
- Mangere – Te Wananga o Aotearoa pop up
- Otara – 14 Fair Mall
- Orewa – Centreway Rd
- Pakuranga - Lloyd Elsmore Park
11:29am - Surface flooding has been seen around the surrounding roads of Auckland Airport.
Looking at the airport's website, several flights are delayed or cancelled arriving or departing Auckland.
11:21am - Waka Kotahi has provided an update about the Southern Motorway on State Highway 1 in Auckland.
"Two southbound lanes remain BLOCKED as response crews work to clear the scene. Continue to merge right with care and expect delays."
11:19am - MetService have provided a graphic showing all the current warnings and watches in place around the North Island.
11:10am - Newshub has received photos showing major surface flooding in Auckland.
The photos show two vehicles submerged under a bridge because of the flooding.
11:07am - Niwa has said it has recorded about a month's worth of rain in about 10 hours on Monday in Auckland.
10:40am - Countdown has told Newshub a number of their supermarkets in Auckland are currently closed because of the severe weather.
"Unfortunately, the very heavy rainfall and flooding around Auckland has impacted a number of our stores and we’ve had to close a few of them this morning including Milford, Pt Chevalier, Glenfield and Pukekohe," Countdown said.
"Both Countdown Glenfield and Countdown Pt Chevalier have also had some roof damage and will remain closed for at least the rest of today while we assess the situation and undertake any necessary repairs.
"None of our team or customers was injured and we expect the other stores to open later today."
10:35am - A number of domestic flights leaving and departing Auckland Airport have either been delayed or cancelled on Monday morning.
A Newshub reporter at Auckland Airport said there is quite a bit of flooding.
10:31am - Niwa has announced their Auckland weather station has just recorded its wettest hour on record.
"Our climate station grouping at Auckland, Mangere just had its wettest hour on record between 9:00 - 10:00 am, recording 52mm. The previous record was 36.4mm."
10:27am - Police are urging motorists across Auckland to delay their travel on Monday morning after the city experienced "severe weather".
Police said there have been a number of calls for assistance to emergency services across the city where vehicles have become submerged.
"Police urge motorists to drive with extreme caution, particularly in areas where there is surface flooding as there could be hidden hazards.
"If you can delay travel, we would advise you do so until the weather event has passed."
10:10am - Photos have shown major surface flooding at the bottom of Franklin Road in Auckland.
Five cars are stuck in the surface flooding.
10:04am - A Waka Kotahi video shows major surface flooding on Auckland's State Highway 1.
"Due to surface flooding, three southbound lanes are blocked after Penrose Rd overbridge. Drive with care and expect delays."
9:55am - Waka Kotahi have provided an update on State Highway 1 from Kaiwaka to Brynderwyn.
"Flooding has now receded in the area and this section of #SH1 is clear again."
9:50am - Police are warning motorists about widespread surface flooding on the North Shore and Waitematā.
They say these areas include Hillcrest, Greenhithe and Albany.
Police are also assisting with a partially submerged vehicle on Sunnybrae Road, Northcote and are urging motorists to slow down and drive to the conditions.
"Please take extra care and be mindful of any hazards."
9:46am - The torrential rain is causing flooding in suburban Auckland streets and in homeowners' gardens.
Photos and videos Newhsub have received show flooding in the Auckland suburb of Sandringham.
9:39am - The flooding has hit the Point Chevalier Countdown with videos and photos showing damage to the store.
The video shows rain dripping into the supermarket through the roof, while an alarm goes off in the background.
9:34am - The wild weather in Auckland is breaking records.
"Wettest hour on record: our climate station at Albany in Auckland recorded an astonishing 76.8 mm in an hour between 8:00 - 9:00 am Monday," Niwa said.
"This seems likely to become the wettest hour across the Auckland region on record, but we'll need to scour the record books!"
9:30am - Newshub has received videos of Queen Street in Auckland showing it flooded with some shops being evacuated.
You can see the footage in our video above.
A woman who works on Queen Street told Newshub that her building was evacuated because of the flooding.
"8:40 this morning we headed into town. I work at Stirling Sports and our building fire alarm went off at 9am," Liz Adams told Newshub.
"We were sent upstairs and the streets looked like that and we were evacuated for 25mins.
"I think we are staying open? Fire trucks went down Queen Street and water care vans went down the bottom. The flooding has gone down but still heavy rain."
9:24am - Waka Kotahi is warning drivers in Auckland to expect delays with the wild weather causing flooding and traffic.
"State Highway 1 Southern Motorway, due to surface flooding near Khyber Pass Rd off-ramp, expect northbound delays. Drive with care and increase your following distance.
9:16am - NIWA Weather has captured a photo showing the flooding at Auckland's Viaduct Harbour
9:12am - Videos on social media show flooding in Auckland caused by the torrential rain on Monday morning.
MetService said in the lead up to 8am, Warkworth recorded 38.2mm of rainfall while Marsden Pt has seen 28.6mm.
In the last three hours, Whangārei Airport recorded rainfall of 84.2mm, the same amount of rainfall also recorded at the same time in Wellsford.
9:09am - Several Auckland schools including Orewa College and Red Beach School have been forced to close this morning due to high surface flooding.
9:07am - Photos have shown a car stuck in flooding on Motions Rd in Western Springs, Auckland.
8:56am - Niwa's Sky Tower camera has captured the crazy and wild weather currently hitting Auckland.
8:44am - MetService said a severe thunderstorm watch remains in force for Auckland, Great Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula and Waikato.
They said there have been 3500 lightning strikes in the past two hours.
Here is the update from MetService:
"At 08:30 am, MetService weather radar detected a line of severe thunderstorms lying from Hen and Chicken Islands to Warkworth to Piha.
"This line of severe thunderstorms is moving towards the east-southeast, and is expected to lie from Hen and Chicken Islands to Auckland at 09:00 am and from Mokohinau Islands to Outer Hauraki Gulf to Manukau at 09:30 am. These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by torrential rain.
"Torrential rain can cause surface and/or flash flooding about streams, gullies and urban areas, and make driving conditions extremely hazardous.
"A severe thunderstorm watch remains in force for Auckland, Great Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula and Waikato.
The National Emergency Management Agency advises that as storms approach you should:
- Take shelter, preferably indoors away from windows;
- Avoid sheltering under trees, if outside;
- Get back to land, if outdoors on the water;
- Move cars under cover or away from trees;
- Secure any loose objects around your property;
- Check that drains and gutters are clear;
- Be ready to slow down or stop, if driving.
During and after the storm, you should also
- Beware of fallen trees and power lines;
- Avoid streams and drains as you may be swept away in flash flooding.
8:25am - Niwa is warning about the "incredible amount of lightning" observed in the Auckland and lower Northland regions.
In the past hour, there has been over 4000 lightning strikes, Niwa said.
In their post at 8:03am, they said in the past five minutes there was over 700 strikes.
"Expect very heavy rain, along with the thunderstorms, for the next couple of hours. Need to watch for urban flooding."
8:22am - Waka Kotahi is warning drivers in the North Island of blocked roads due to surface flooding.
State Highway 1 Kaiwaka to Brynderwyn is blocked due to surface flooding with drivers asked to follow directions of response crews on-site and expect delays.
Drivers on State Highway 1 in Whangārei are being urged to drive with "caution" due to the severe weather.
"Due to adverse weather conditions and surface flooding, caution is advised along #SH1 (Western Hills Dr) between Kensington Ave and Rust Ave. Expect delays."
8:15am - WeatherWatch said the severe thunderstorms are now moving into Auckland city.
"There is a chance of cloud to ground lightning strikes and heavier rain. Conditions look to ease around mid to late morning."
8:12am - WeatherWatch is warning the heavy rain will continue this morning in Auckland and Waikato before moving south towards Bay of Plenty and the central North Island by lunchtime.
Weatherwatch said some heavy rain may reach Hawkes Bay and or Gisborne on Monday evening but as the front moves eastwards it will start to weaken slightly.
"Today through to Wednesday will see unstable conditions for the upper and western North Island, especially during the afternoons," WeatherWatch said.
"Thunderstorms and heavy downpours are possible and yes there still looks to be a chance of a small tornado occurring on any of the above mentioned days.
Weatherwatch is predicting a week of unsettled weather for the North Island.
"This week is looking fairly unsettled suffice to say, more so for the North Island but the South Island (mainly the upper half and in the east) does get some rain or showers at times," Weatherwatch said.
"On Thursday the low responsible for causing unsettled conditions in the first half of this week moves out to the east, this lets in a southwesterly airflow. There is some debate in models whether conditions will calm down after the southwesterlies at the end of this week or whether we could have a cold front move through in the weekend.
"We could have a mix of both situations where the South Island is calmer with higher pressure and the North Island still gets showers, more to be revealed no doubt as we move forward."
7:58am - Northland Police are urging motorists to drive with caution and take extra care on the roads on Monday morning with surface flooding reported following heavy rain overnight.
Police said they have received reports of surface flooding around the Western Hills Drive area of State Highway 1 in Whangārei and State Highway 10 near Kerikeri.
Police are urging motorists to slow down and drive to the conditions, particularly when travelling on highways.
7:54am - Police are advising Puhoi residents that Ahuroa Road is currently blocked in both directions after a tree has fallen across the road.
"Crews are working to clear the tree, however, motorists are advised that the road is expected to remain blocked for at least an hour," police said.
7:50am - Here's an update from MetService on the thunderstorms and downpours that have hit Northland overnight:
"Purerua in the Bay of Islands saw 133.0mm of rainfall in the last 12 hours," MetService said.
"102.4mm of that rain fell within 2 hours, between 1am and 3am!"
MetService is urging everyone to "take care" and "drive safe during your commute this morning".
7:30am - Here's an update from Metservice on the Severe Thunderstorm Warning. It now includes Rodney, Kaipara, Auckland City, Waitakere, Whangarei, Gulf and Albany.
"At 07:07 am, MetService weather radar detected a line of severe thunderstorms lying from WAIPU to TE ARAI to KAUKAPAKAPA.
"This line of severe thunderstorms is moving towards the southeast, and is expected to lie from HEN AND CHICKEN ISLANDS to MATAKANA to COATESVILLE at 07:37 am and from WARKWORTH to AUCKLAND at 08:07 am.
"These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by torrential rain.
"Torrential rain can cause surface and/or flash flooding about streams, gullies and urban areas, and make driving conditions extremely hazardous."
7:25am - Here's the latest warnings and watches from Metservice for the upper North Island
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Kaipara, Whangarei, Rodney and Albany
Heavy Rain Warning: Northland - Sunday 8pm to Monday 9am, Auckland (including Great Barrier Island) - Sunday 11pm to Monday 2pm, Coromandel Peninsula - Monday 6am to Monday 6pm
Severe Thunderstorm Watch: Northland - Monday 6am to Monday 10am, Auckland, Great Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato - Monday 6am to Monday 2pm
Strong Wind Watch: Auckland - Sunday 10pm to Monday 2pm.
7:15am - A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued by Metservice for Kaipara, Rodney and Albany.
"At 06:30 am, MetService weather radar detected a line of severe thunderstorms lying from WHAKAPARA to RUAKAKA to TAUHOA.
"This line of severe thunderstorms is moving towards the southeast, and is expected to lie from HIKURANGI to WAIPU to AHUROA at 07:00 am and from NGUNGURU to WAIPU COVE to OREWA at 07:30 am.
"These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by very heavy rain."
7:00am - Auckland Transport says a number of ferry services have been cancelled this morning due to the weather, with bus services in place instead.
6:40am - Brandolino told AM the next couple of hours are going to be tough for the Auckland and Waikato regions and there are some "nasty thunderstorms and pockets of rain" heading down from Northland.
He said things should clear up for Auckland by the afternoon but until then the city would be in for some impactful weather with flooding and slips likely.
6:30am - Niwa scientist Chris Brandolino told AM there will be heavy winds and rain across Northland and Auckland on Monday morning but it should clear for Auckland as the storm moves south.
6:15am - Metservice has issued a heavy storm warning for Northland and north Auckland this morning as severe weather lashes the region.
