The MetService is advising people to take precautions with bad weather heading for Auckland.
It’s issued a heavy rain watch for an 18-hour period starting at 8pm today, Thursday, and ending at 2pm tomorrow.
The area covers Auckland as well as Great Barrier Island the Coromandel Peninsula.
“Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria,” the service says.
“Thunderstorms and localised downpours possible. Low chance of upgrading to a warning.”
The MetService has also issued a severe thunderstorm watch for a seven-hour period starting at 10pm today and ending at 5am tomorrow, Friday, for Auckland.
It says the forecast is “periods of heavy rain with possible thunderstorms and/or localised downpours are expected to affect Auckland overnight tonight (Thursday) and Friday morning”.
“Between 10pm tonight (Thursday) and 5am Friday, localised downpours of 25-40mm/h are possible in some parts of the Auckland region (including the islands of the Inner Hauraki Gulf).
“These downpours could occur with or without thunderstorms.
“Rainfall of this intensity can cause surface and/or flash flooding, especially about low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or valleys, and may also lead to slips.
“Driving conditions will also be hazardous with surface flooding and poor visibility in heavy rain.
“Further heavy rain or thunderstorms are possible on Friday, and this severe thunderstorm watch may be extended.”
