Wet weather has emergency services on high alert in Auckland, as an unstable west to northwest flow covers western parts of the North Island.
Thunderstorms have caused problems on roads and lightning has struck an Epsom house this afternoon.
MetService says thunderstorms have been accompanied by localised heavy rain of 10mm/h to 20mm/h, strong wind gusts of 90km/h to 110km/h and hail up to 20mm in diameter.
Lightning from the storms struck a house on Sharpe St in the central Auckland suburb of Epsom, sparking a small fire which was quickly contained.
A nanny and child were inside the house at the time, but no one was injured.
Thunderstorms and hail have also made roads wet this afternoon, and the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) is warning motorists to slow down and increase following distances.
A crash is blocking the middle lane at the Maioro St off-ramp from the Southwestern Motorway, causing delays.
A strong wind warning was in place earlier today, with gusts of up to 92km/h recorded on the Auckland Harbour Bridge and Mangere Bridge. Gusts are now easing.
A crash was partiallly blocking the Southern Motorway's right lane city-bound after Princes St, causing delays. The crash has now been cleared.
Thunderstorms are expected to continue into the evening, with a high risk for Auckland, Great Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty and the far north of Gisborne.
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