Bay of Plenty and Coromandel residents are being urged to brace for another lashing of thunderstorms today.

The MetService has issued a fresh bout of thunderstorm watches for the North Island including Auckland, Great Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, Waitomo, Taumaranui, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Taupo and Taranaki.

Watches are also in place for Buller and Westland in the South Island.

"Rain with heavy falls is expected to spread south over the north of the North Island late morning and during the afternoon," says the latest update from the MetService.

"Thunderstorms are expected with the rain. From Taranaki, across Waitomo and Taupo to the Bay of Plenty and northwards, there is a moderate risk some of the thunderstorms could become severe.

"These severe thunderstorms, if they occur, could bring localised downpours with intensities of 25 to 40 mm/h, and tornadoes.

"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.
Tornadic wind gusts can cause some structural damage, including trees and power lines, and may make driving hazardous.

"If any tornadoes occur, they will only affect very localised areas. Should severe weather approach or if you feel threatened, take shelter immediately."

Image: MetService.

Thunderstorms lashed the region on Sunday with heavy rain, hail and strong winds reported in the Lower Kaimai area.

"Multiple rivers" were reported on SH29, near McLaren Falls Road.

A caller to the 0800 SUNLIVE news hotline says there was also a lot of debris on the road and people were advised to slow right down if they have to travel on the highway.

Another SunLive reader says the weather is "really crazy" on SH29.

"A lot of people pulled over because of how bad the visibility was, could only see about 15-20 meters ahead. Very scary.

"Those of us who kept driving, were going like 30km/h with hazard lights on! Was very intense! "

Hail has also been captured on camera.