UPDATE 3.03pm: MetService is issuing a severe thunderstorm warning for the Western Bay of Plenty and Tauranga.

This comes after the Bay of Plenty west of Whakatāne was put under a heavy rain warning earlier today.

At 02:45 pm, MetService weather radar detected severe thunderstorms near Tauranga, Offshore Matakana Island and Matakana Island.

'These severe thunderstorms are moving towards the southeast, and are expected to lie near Te Puke and Papamoa at 03:15 pm and near Rotoehu and Pongakawa Valley at 03:45 pm,” says a MetService spokesperson.

'These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by very heavy rain.

'Very heavy rain can cause surface and/or flash flooding about streams, gullies and urban areas, and make driving conditions extremely hazardous.”

Earlier 2.16pm: MetService is issuing a severe thunderstorm warning for the Western Bay of Plenty and Hauraki.

At 02.00 pm, the MetService weather radar detected the storm near Waihi.

"These severe thunderstorms are moving towards the southsoutheast, and are expected to lie near Waihi, Waihi Beach and Katikati at 02.30 pm and near Waihi Beach and Katikati at 03:00 pm," says a MetService spokesperson.

"These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by very heavy rain.

"Very heavy rain can cause surface and/or flash flooding about streams, gullies and urban areas, and make driving conditions extremely hazardous."

The National Emergency Management Agency advises that as storms approach you should:

• Take shelter, preferably indoors away from windows;
• Avoid sheltering under trees, if outside;
• Get back to land, if outdoors on the water;
• Move cars under cover or away from trees;
• Secure any loose objects around your property;
• Check that drains and gutters are clear;
• Be ready to slow down or stop, if driving.
• During and after the storm, you should also:
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines;
• Avoid streams and drains as you may be swept away in flash flooding.

For the latest Tauranga forecast, visit the MetService website.