The watch is in force until 9pm Saturday. Photo: Photo / 123RF
North Island areas still cleaning up from Cyclone Gabrielle damage may be in for further stormy weather this weekend.
A weather watch for severe thunderstorms in Gisborne, Bay of Plenty, Hawke's Bay and Taupō was in place on Saturday until 9pm.
MetService earlier said there was a moderate risk of thunderstorms for central and eastern parts of the North Island on Saturday evening.
The thunderstorm watch is in force until 9pm Saturday. Photo: MetService
Earlier today, MetService issued a thunderstorm watch for the Bay of Plenty, Taupō, Gisborne and Hawke's Bay.
"These thunderstorms are expected to be slow-moving, and consequently there is a moderate risk that some of these storms could become severe," the forecaster said on Saturday morning.
"Rainfall of this intensity can cause surface and/or 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," said the MetService forecaster.
The severe thunderstorm watches expired at 9pm on Saturday.
The East Coast and Hawke's Bay were hit hard by Cyclone Gabrielle, with some roads not expected to be fixed for months and thousands forced out of their homes.