MetService has put a severe thunderstorm watch in place for the west of the North Island early on Thursday. Photo: MetService
A severe thunderstorm watch remains in place for the west coast of the North Island for the early hours of Thursday morning.
MetService has a severe thunderstorm watch in place for Waikato, Waitomo and Taranaki from 1am until 6am on Thursday.
It has now lifted all its other severe weather warnings including cancelling heavy rain warnings that were in place earlier today for Bay of Plenty.
A low with an associated band of rain and possible thunderstorms is expected to move onto the western North Island early on Thursday morning.
MetService said there was a moderate risk of a few small potentially damaging tornadoes in the western parts of Waikato, Waitomo and north Taranaki, mainly near the coast between 1am and 6am on Thursday.
The tornadoes were expected to be very localised and short-lived but could cause damage to structures and vegetation, MetService said.