Severe weather warning for Bay of Plenty, Central Plateau

Severe thunderstorms are currently hitting eastern Bay of Plenty and the Central Plateau as holidaymakers hit the road for Auckland Anniversary weekend.

WeatherWatch.co.nz said the downpours were "dramatically developing" and people should head inside if they can hear thunder.

"This is very dangerous weather with cloud to ground lightning strikes and torrential downpours with hail which could lead to localised flash flooding," head forecaster Philip Duncan said.

Heavy downpours would pop up through inland areas of both islands over the next couple of days, he said.

MetService issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Western Bay of Plenty, Whakatane, Kawerau and Rotorua.

MetService said a radar detected severe thunderstorms near Kawerau, Edgecumbe, Waiohau, Matahina and Te Teko at 5pm.

These severe thunderstorms are slowly moving towards the northwest.

MetService warned the thunderstorms are accompanied with very heavy rain that could cause surface and/or flash flooding.

A severe thunderstorm watch is also in place for Waikato, Waitomo, Taumaranui, Taupo, Taihape, and Gisborne.

More to come