14 Nov 2017

Thunderstorm watch for the north

4:31 pm on 14 November 2017

Severe thunderstorms could form over the upper North Island this evening, the MetService says.

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Thunderstorm clouds over Greenlane, Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Sally Murphy

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect until 10pm for Auckland, Northland, Waikato and Coromandel.

The storms could also be accompanied by hail larger than 20mm.

Earlier today, Niwa told people in Whangaparaoa and Orewa to get off the water to avoid lightning.

Lightning strikes started fires and heavy rain brought flooding in the Auckland region this afternoon.

Fire and Emergency said crews were sent to a scrub fire at Glen Eden and a tree caught fire near Paeroa in the Hauraki District.

It said there had been flooding at the Takanini Village Shopping Centre and several false alarms set off by thunder around the region.

Niwa forecaster Chris Brandolino said the heat, the cold air above it and sea breezes were the perfect concoction for wild weather.

He expected a lot of lightning strikes later in the afternoon, including cloud to ground strikes and warned people to be aware of their surroundings.

Do you have any weather photos? Send us an email: iwitness@radionz.co.nz

"You don't want to be on the water or near water when there's a thunderstorm," he said.

"Often times thunderstorms occur and ... there's rain that comes with it so people seek shelter under a singular tree and that's not a good thing to do because lightning is lazy [and] it goes for the tallest thing."

Mr Brandolino said although coastal areas would be affected, inland areas were likely to see the worst of the hail and the rain.

"The sea breeze is an area of cooler air... and when that first makes contact with the land that can be a focal point to get showers and thunderstorms going," he said.

"That tends to - as the day matures - go further and further inland... away from where it started."

Mr Brandolino said areas between Hamilton and Whangarei could also be affected by the thunderstorms.

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