Thunderstorms roll into Mt Taranaki, while blue skies remain over New Plymouth…for now!   Photo by our New Plymouth reporter, Greg Taylor.

Thunderstorms are moving into Taranaki from the east this afternoon.  Our Wanganui based reporter Rowena Duncum says there have been quite a lot of strikes over the past 20 or 30 minutes.

The lightning detector at WeatherWatch.co.nz shows over 100 strikes in the past hour, mostly from the Taranaki and inland Wanganui regions.

Head weather analyst Philip Duncan says there are two areas of concern, Northland and Taranaki/Wanganui.  “Heavy showers, with a few thunderstorms, are popping up over Northland, north of about Whangarei but most of the action is further from Taranaki to Central Plateau and down to Wanganui”.

“Most of the severe weather will be taking place in remote areas but farmers should be aware of rapidly rising streams in some places – and the risk of lightning strikes”.  He says motorists should also take care driving from Wanganui to National Park or into Taranaki.

Big clouds building – photo by Allen Pidwell.  Got Photos?  Send them to us!

The Weather Watch Centre says residents from Wanganui to New Plymouth will be the most populated areas exposed to the heavy downpours, thunderstorms and potential hail.

Mr Duncan says elsewhere conditions remain dry.  “I think the chance of Auckland receiving any thunderstorms or heavy showers is pretty low and despite conditions remaining volatile over much of central and western parts of the North Island I think the severe weather will remain isolated to those two regions”.

The Weather Watch Centre says Waikato may also see some late afternoon/evening showers especially areas west of about Morrinsville.

Is there severe weather where you are?  Post a comment below or send us a pic!