By 1news.co.nz and is republished with permission

The North Island is set for more bad weather today as a low pressure system continues to move across upper Aotearoa.

The system is “expected to slowly move northeast away from the North Island during Monday and Tuesday and weaken”, MetService said — but that doesn’t mean New Zealand is out of the woods just yet.

“Rain is expected to affect many North Island places, and warnings and watches for heavy rain are in place.”

And MetService warned of “potential” thunderstorms “in spots in both the North and South Island” this afternoon and evening.

A severe thunderstorm watch is in place for Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato and Bay of Plenty from 2pm to 8pm today.

“Thunderstorms are expected to develop about northern regions of the North Island this afternoon and continue into the evening, producing heavy rain and hail,” the forecaster said.

“However, in areas of Auckland, Waikato, Coromandel Peninsula, and Bay of Plenty west of Rotorua, there is a moderate risk that some of the thunderstorms could become severe.”

Flash flooding, surface flooding and slips are possible.

Orange heavy rain warnings are in place for Tairāwhiti/Gisborne from Tolaga Bay northwards from 9am today to 11am tomorrow, and for the Ruahine Range and the inland ranges of Hawke’s Bay from 9am today to 2am tomorrow.

“Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly,” MetService cautioned.

“Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous.”

Heavy rain watches are in place for Tairāwhiti/Gisborne south of Tolaga Bay from 9am today to noon tomorrow, as well as Wairarapa from about Carterton northwards, the Tararua District not including the Ruahine Range and Hawke’s Bay not including the inland ranges from 9am today to 1am tomorrow.

“Rain will focus more on the eastern Wairarapa, Hawke’s Bay, and Gisborne areas [today],” NIWA Weather said on X (Twitter).

“Pockets of over 50 mm of rainfall are possible about the ranges and hills.”