File photo. Photo: Twitter / @MetService
Residents in Hastings and Rangitikei are being warned to expect severe thunderstorms this evening.
MetService said this afternoon that weather radar had detected severe thunderstorms near the Kaweka Range and the Kaimanawa mountains. These were moving towards the southeast, and were expected to be accompanied by torrential rain.
It warned that torrential rain could cause surface and/or flash flooding about streams, gullies and urban areas, and make driving conditions extremely hazardous.
Meanwhile, a severe thunderstorm watch is in place for parts of Taranaki, Taumarunui, Taupō, Taihape and Whanganui.
MetService said the area could expect localised downpours of 25mm to 40mm per hour.
The thunderstorm watch is in place for four hours until 9pm.
Earlier, it had posted that 1035 lightning strikes had been detected across the central North Island this afternoon, with "no signs of slowing down".