There is a moderate risk of severe thunderstorms with localised downpours (25 to 40 mm per hour) over Auckland, Great Barrier Island, Waikato, Coromandel Peninsula and Bay of Plenty west of Te Puke from this afternoon until early Wednesday morning. Note, the risk over Auckland is easing tonight. 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.