This watch affects people in the following weather forecast districts: Northland, Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato.

A slow moving front over southern Northland this morning is expected to drift south to northern Waikato and the southern Coromandel Peninsula by early evening. Some of the showers on the front may turn thundery at times and there is a risk of one or two becoming SEVERE and producing localised rainfall rates in the 25-40mm/hr range over parts of Auckland this afternoon and further south early this evening with or without lightning.

Rainfall of this intensity can cause 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.