Severe thunderstorms were expected to lash the top of the North Island on Tuesday afternoon but a rare "red" warning issued for parts of Northland has since been lifted.
Aucklanders were being warned about flash flooding with thunderstorms, heavy rain and hail expected to lash the city on Tuesday.
MetService earlier issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Northland and Auckland from 12pm until at least 7pm.
"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," the forecaster said.
NIWA said since the thunderstorms would be slow-moving, it increased the chances of surface flooding.
"Although they'll be quite isolated, these heavy cells will likely be slow-moving and may produce rainfall that's heavy enough to cause surface flooding.
"The action will be driven by converging winds in the lower atmosphere and weak winds aloft that will enable the cells to remain nearly stationary."
But it's good news for people in the South Island with the weather expected to be fine.
MetService said clouds should make way for sunshine on Tuesday but did warn it would be windy in Christchurch in the afternoon.
Severe thunderstorm watch
Area: Northland, Auckland
Period: 7hrs from noon - 7pm Tue, 5 Dec
Forecast: Slow-moving thunderstorms over parts of Northland and northern Auckland (north of the City) may produce localised downpours of 25 to 40 mm/hr this afternoon and early evening.
