The boundary that was the focus for this afternoon’s heavy rain and tornadic thunderstorms continues to head east.  That will push the thunderstorm activity away from Auckland and focus the threat on the eastern North Island.

The Bay of Plenty, South Waikato will likely see showers and thunderstorms from this system for the rest of today and then into tonight.  Hawkes Bay and Gisborne will also see some showers and possible thunderstorms, but that probably won’t be until this evening.

The threat for severe weather continues to diminish.  However, severe thunderstorms are still possible for the South Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua and Taupo areas through early this evening.  That means that conditions are still favourable for the development of severe weather.  Persons in these areas should be prepared to move to a place of safety should severe weather develop.  Remember, severe thunderstorms can, and occasionally do, produce tornadoes with little or no warning.

by Howard Joseph, WeatherWatch.co.nz