Updated 6:31pm — Torrential rain continues to fall across the western Bay of Plenty, including Tauranga and Mt Maunganui while heavy showers have now eased in intensity across Auckland and much of Waikato says WeatherWatch.co.nz.

As of 6:30pm a band of  heavy showers was moving into southern Northland / northern Auckland – but in Auckland itself showers have started to fade now. 

Torrential downpours earlier lead to significant surface flooding in a couple north west suburbs as drains were overwhelmed.  

But heavy rain is still falling in Tauranga and Bay of Plenty, where significant flooding affected shops and roads this morning.  “The downpours are torrential and are likely to lead to more pockets of flooding across the cities this evening” says head weather analyst Philip Duncan. 

“The rain and heavy showers have hung around western Bay of Plenty all day and to add to that the same energy that affected Auckland and Waikato is now also pushing into western parts of Bay of Plenty”.

“There are two lows in the Tasman Sea and they are both working together to pull down warm, humid, air over the upper North Island” says Philip Duncan.

Satellite TV may also be cut to some viewers due to atmospheric conditions.

Residents are advised to stay away from flood drains and small streams and to stay indoors during intense downpours.

Some thunder is also expected.  View NZ”s only free lightning tracker here (requires Java) however rain is still our primary concern, especially with autumn leaves blocking some drains and gutters.

“We may well see more pockets of flooding across our drought zones on Sunday and Monday” says Mr Duncan.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz