A dramatic thunderstorm has rumbled across Auckland late Tuesday afternoon and early evening.

Lightning and thunder had been going nonstop since about 4:30pm to 6:30pm – as the cells tracked southwards. 

More thunderstorms remain out in the Tasman Sea, although aren’t expected to be as intense overnight.

Check out the Lightning Tracker on our website – it’s free for all NZers to use.

Wow massive thunderstorm over West Auckland heading home, heaps of lightning..clouds look menacing @WeatherWatchNZ pic.twitter.com/VBGhR2YR7c

— Jamie Annan (@Testerpot) June 2, 2015

Social media has lit up with photos and comments.

Some of the flights waiting for #AKLStorm to pass @flightradar24 @WeatherWatchNZ @AKL_Airport pic.twitter.com/0EuDHSTu5t

— Koen (@Koennz) June 2, 2015

Wow!! Stunning! https://t.co/0fBR1PLZcf

— Philip Duncan (@PhilipDuncan) June 2, 2015

@WeatherWatchNZ can see the Waitakeres getting it right now. Some big flashes pic.twitter.com/dxaIz4qZLi

— Michael Brennan (@MBfreaquency) June 2, 2015

This afternoon in Auckland it was mostly sunny and warm with temperatures in the low 20s, well above average for June says WeatherWatch.co.nz.  The storm clouds rolled in as WeatherWatch.co.nz predicted at about 4pm, but the showers took another 30 to 60 minutes to cross the city.

A sky of 2 halves… awesome lightning flashes toward the west @PhilipDuncan @WeatherWatchNZ pic.twitter.com/F6iJK7Ajxt

— Generic Kiwi (@Generickiwi) June 2, 2015

“As of 5:20pm the western side of Auckland had a severe thunderstorm while the eastern side had clear blue skies.  Considering Auckland is only one kilometre wide at its narrowest point you understand why forecasting specifically for Auckland can be tough” says head weather analyst Philip Duncan.

As forecast the thunderstorms are creating hail – some quite large (see photo).

However the main band of rain should end up affecting all of the city before 6 or 7pm – but thunderstorms may not affect all suburbs. Showers will ease by 7pm for a time.

The isolated thunderstorms will track south east tonight and may affect regions between Auckland and the middle of the North Island, although they should ease somewhat after sunset.

On Wednesday more isolated thunderstorms are expected and we’ll continue to give you clear and timely updates as they move closer.

IMAGE: Jamie Annan

– WeatherWatch.co.nz