MetService have issued a severe Thunderstorm Warning for the Bay of Plenty.

The warning effects WESTERN BAY OF PLENTY and ROTORUA and is valid through until 12:22am Wed 11 Nov.

This line of severe thunderstorms is moving towards the southsoutheast, and is expected to lie from THE SOUTHERN KAIMAI RANGES to THE MAMAKU PLATEAU to TE WHETU at 11:52 pm and from THE HILLS AND RANGES EAST OF TOKOROA to UPPER ATIAMURI at 12:22 am.

These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by torrential rain. Torrential rain can cause surface and/or flash flooding about streams, gullies and urban areas, and make driving conditions extremely hazardous.

Bay of Plenty east of Whakatane has an Orange Heavy Rain Warning in place for a period of 23 hours, from 11pm Tue, 10 Nov - 10pm Wed, 11 Nov. You can expect 100 to 130 mm of rain, with thunderstorms and localised downpours possible, and rainfall intensities of 25 to 40 mm/h expected from Wednesday morning. There's minimal chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.

Bay of Plenty west of Whakatane is currently under a Heavy Rain Watch until 5am tomorrow, Wed, 11 Nov. You can expect periods of heavy rain, and localised downpours are possible with rainfall intensities of 25 to 40 mm/h. Rainfall amounts may exceed warning criteria in localised areas, and there's a moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.

There is also a Severe Thunderstorm Watch in place for Bay of Plenty west of Te Puke from 2pm Tue, 10 Nov - 5am Wed, 11 Nov, with a moderate risk of severe thunderstorms with localised downpours (25 to 40 mm per hour). Rainfall of this intensity can cause surface and/or flash flooding, especially about low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys, and may also lead to slips. Driving conditions will also be hazardous with surface flooding and poor visibility in heavy rain.