Updated 8:20pm — Thunderstorms have affected a number of regions late afternoon and early evening – but despite a spectacular lightning show for some looking out to the west earlier on Wednesday evening, most of the storms fizzled out over land by 8pm.

However while most thunderstorms faded out as they moved east into Northland, Auckland and Waikato a few remained – and created spectacular forked lightning.

Heavy downpours remain now – and will track east into Bay of Plenty, Central Plateau and across the North Island.

Showers and cooler, stronger, west to south west winds will move in overnight.

The free and live Lightning Tracker at WeatherWatch.co.nz was very active between 4pm and 7pm, but in the past hour has calmed down significantly: http://www.weatherwatch.co.nz/lightning

A few isolated thunderstorms remain across the upper North Island – and more may trigger again as the front moves back out over water to the east of Northland, Auckland and Coromandel Peninsula/BOP.

Motorists are advised to take care on upper North Island roads and highways tonight due to sudden downpours and limited visibility.  There may also be isolated rockfalls or slips through the ranges and gorges of the upper North Island.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz