A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Wairoa this afternoon, with radar detecting active storm cells capable of producing very heavy rain and flash flooding around the town in northern Hawke’s Bay. 

MetService says severe thunderstorms were detected near Wairoa, Rangiahua and Cricklewood shortly after 1pm and are moving east-southeast. They are expected to lie near Wairoa, Frasertown and Whakakī between 1.50pm and 2.20pm. 

The agency warns that very heavy rain could cause surface or flash flooding around streams, gullies and urban areas, and make driving conditions hazardous. Wairoa residents are urged to take shelter, secure loose items and avoid waterways. 

A severe thunderstorm watch remains in place for Bay of Plenty, Taupō, Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay. 

Other parts of the North Island have been placed under a severe thunderstorm watch by MetService. 

The watch covers the Bay of Plenty, Taupō, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay and lasts for six hours from 1pm to 7pm today. 

MetService said some thunderstorms may become severe, producing downpours of up to 40mm/h or large hail with a diameter of over 2cm. 

People in the watch area are advised that rainfall of this intensity can cause surface or flash flooding in low-lying areas near streams, rivers or narrow valleys. 

MetService said this weather could also trigger slips, while large hail may damage crops, glasshouses and vehicles, and make driving hazardous. 

Elsewhere, two road snowfall warnings are in place for the South Island, both lasting into Saturday morning. 

The road snowfall warning on Crown Range Rd lasts for 20 hours from 3pm Friday to 11am Saturday, with snow possible above 800m this afternoon. 

MetService said little snow was expected to settle on the roads. 

Milford Rd has a nine-hour road snowfall warning from 10pm to 7am tomorrow. 

Snow showers are expected late on Friday, with 1 to 2cm possibly settling on the road above 800m. 

Despite some rain earlier today, Auckland is forecast to have a sunnier afternoon and a clear evening. 

A few showers may develop late tomorrow morning, but MetService expects these to clear in the afternoon. 

Looking ahead to Sunday, the North Island should see mainly fine weather, with isolated showers in the afternoon and evening in Northland. 

The South Island is expected to be fine, apart from cloudy periods and isolated showers for Fiordland and Stewart Island/Rakiura. 

Rain is forecast to return to parts of the North Island on Monday, with isolated showers in the north and west. 

A similar pattern is expected in the South Island from Buller to Fiordland.