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New Zealand’s stormy summer continues Monday with a severe thunderstorm watch over much of the central North Island.
MetService issued the alert Monday morning for eastern Waikato, the interior of the Bay of Plenty, including Rotorua, Taupō, the interior of Gisborne and north of Hawke’s Bay.
Thunderstorms could be severe, particularly between 2 pm and 10 pm Monday, and localized showers could be up to 40mm, MetService warned. Hail was also possible.
Rain of that level could cause surface and flash flooding and could lead to slipping. Driving would be dangerous, he warned.
The weather was caused by hot and humid air with light winds that caused the accumulation of clouds.
It’s the last of three days of wild weather in New Zealand.
Brodie Jaeger / Supplied
The floods near Opotiki almost submerged small cars.
Between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm Sunday, 1,636 lightning strikes were counted across the country, while heavy rains and hail caused flooding and road closures in some parts of the country.
Bay of Plenty, Coromandel and Otago were among the worst hit.
