UPDATED 6:29pm — Thunderstorms are continuing to bubble up across the country.

The majority of thunderstorms are around Central Plateau and the Southern Alps, where WeatherWatch.co.nz advises motorists and locals to take extreme care in very heavy downpours which may cause surface and flash flooding, also hail.

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 TRACK THE THUNDERSTORMS LIVE HERE

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Thunderstorms are also growing and forming along the Southern Alps.

Storms will continue to grow until in the North Island will ease this evening but in the South Island thunderstorms will continue to develop for a little longer (due to the later sunset). 

Tomorrow we expect a repeat of today – although Hamilton and Auckland are more exposed to downpours.

#Thunderstorms & significant downpours continue to GROW across the southern half of the North Island and upper South Island. Most intense through the Central North Island. 2:19pm: https://t.co/pMJoYTXSlK pic.twitter.com/cp2bDR5JcH

— WeatherWatch.co.nz (@WeatherWatchNZ) November 28, 2017

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IMAGES BELOW FROM 2:30PM TODAY – storms remain in similar areas as of 6:30pm. Please click the last image for the LIVE lightning tracker.

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– Where the main storm cells currently lie, with active and developing thunderstorms from the Tararua’s, to Central Plateau to Taranaki.

– A close up look of the Desert Road (SH1) shows thunderstorms above, some may be severe with risks of hail, surface and flash flooding.

– Unlike yesterday thunderstorms and downpours are today developing around Taranaki.

– Forecast Rain Radar for 4pm shows the areas most at risk from downpours – however coastal areas may remain completely dry in many places near these downpours.

– Lightning Map as of 1:45pm Tuesday shows thunderstorms around Taranaki and Central Plateau. Click for LIVE version.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz