A severe thunderstorm warning has been lifted for Gisborne, however a severe thunderstorm watch remains in place until midnight on Tuesday.
The rare red warning was put in place by MetService at around 2pm near Gisborne City and Whangara with "heavy downpours of rain" possible.
"Severe thunderstorms can cause surface/flash flooding about streams, gullies and urban areas, and make driving conditions extremely hazardous," the forecaster warned on Twitter.
This was followed by a torrential rain lashing Gisborne as the skies opened up.
This warning was lifted shortly after 2:40pm, with MetService stating the thunderstorm had moved offshore.
A heavy rain watch remains in place for the Bay of Plenty east of Rotorua and Tairawhiti/Gisborne until 1am on Wednesday, and a severe thunderstorm watch remains in place for Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Hawke's Bay until midnight Tuesday.
A heavy rain watch and severe thunderstorm watch have also been issued for Northland until late Tuesday afternoon.
Rainfall rates in these areas may reach 40mm per hour. MetService warned rainfall of this intensity can cause surface and/or flash flooding, especially in low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys, and may also lead to slips.
