Severe thunderstorms are lashing the Auckland region, bringing traffic to a halt on the Southern Motorway.
A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Auckland after MetService's weather radar detected them near north and central Auckland at 6:30pm on Saturday.
These severe thunderstorms are moving towards the south-southeast, and are expected to lie near south Auckland at 7pm and near Pukekohe, Pokeno, Tuakau, Drury, Bombay, Mercer and Ararimu at 7:30pm.
"A thunderstorm near Whangaparaoa is moving south towards central Auckland. The thunderstorm may be accompanied by very heavy rain," MetService warned.
"Very heavy rain can cause surface and/or flash flooding about streams, gullies and urban areas, and make driving conditions extremely hazardous. Hail can cause damage to crops, orchards and vines and may make driving conditions hazardous."
Multiple Aucklanders filmed as heavy rain and hail cut their visibility on roads and led to flash-flooding.
"It was near-impossible to continue to drive. The visibility didn't go further than one metre," one driver on the Southern Motorway told Newshub.
"It was really scary. I've never experienced weather like that while driving before."
It comes after Christchurch Airport recorded over a month's worth of rain on Saturday morning.
"Their average monthly rainfall for November is 41.3mm, this morning they have received 46.2mm!" MetService tweeted.
"The orange heavy rain warning remains in place until 9pm tonight. Take care out there."
