Westerly gales to hit north of North Island, heavy rain for central areas
The north of the country is being warned to brace for damaging winds and possible tornados as westerly gales move north from Wairarapa and southern Hawke's Bay.
MetService said west to northwest gales may become severe for a time in Northland, Auckland and Coromandel Peninsula from Thursday evening until Friday afternoon. Squally thunderstorms were also possible.
Watch out: Wild weather could bring slips and flooding
Auckland Civil Defence is warning of possible slips, flooding and even small tornadoes with thunderstorms and heavy rain forecast to batter the country.
Rough weather is heading toward the country tomorrow and into Friday and the central and upper North Island will be the worst hit, MetService is predicting.
An active front with thunderstorms rolling across the North Island will bring localised heavy rain, hail and strong wind gusts of 100km/h to areas like New Plymouth and Hamilton.
The same front will move across Auckland soon after, with morning commuters warned driving conditions could be very bad.