Warning of possible floods amid severe thunderstorm alerts for North Island

Severe thunderstorms and heavy downpours could hit much of the North Island, with multiple weather alerts in place.

MetService severe thunderstorm watches remain in place across parts of Northland and Auckland, along with heavy rain watches from Northland to the central plateau.

Rainfall of this intensity can cause flooding, especially about low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys, and may also lead to slips, MetService says.

Driving conditions will also be hazardous with surface flooding and poor visibility in heavy rain.

The forecasts follow heavy rain and storms in Auckland, and Canterbury on Friday and Saturday.

MetService meteorologist John Law said there were intense bursts of rainfall and flashes of lightning on Monday.

Most of the lightning struck off the coast of western Auckland and Waikato, with rain from Northland to Waitomo, he said.

On Tuesday, Auckland, Great Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula are under severe thunderstorm watches until midnight, and Northland until 10pm.

MetService says people in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and monitor for possible severe thunderstorm warnings.

Heavy rain watches are in place for Northland, Auckland and Great Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, Waitomo, Taupo, Taranaki, Taumarunui and Tongariro National Park, and Bay of Plenty west of Whakatane.