Update, 1.50pm. The Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been lifted for the Bay of Plenty radar area, says a MetServices spokesperson.

MetService had issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for the Western Bay of Plenty and Hauraki areas at around 10.20am.

Update, 1pm: At 12.52 pm, the MetService weather radar detected severe thunderstorms near Te Puke, Motiti Island, Pukehina and Paengaroa.

"These severe thunderstorms are moving towards the southwest, and are expected to lie near Te Puke, Papamoa and Paengaroa at 1.22 pm and 1:52 pm," says a MetService spokesperson.

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

The thunderstorm notification is valid until 1.52pm Monday June 5.

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

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in force for Bay of Plenty.

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.

Update, 12.20pm: At midday, the MetService weather radar detected severe thunderstorms near Te Puke and Motiti Island.

"These severe thunderstorms are moving towards the westsouthwest, and are expected to lie near Te Puke, Papamoa and Paengaroa at 12.30pm and 1pm," 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.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in force for Bay of Plenty.

11.20am Update: MetService has updated their Severe Thunderstorm Warning to include Western Bay of Plenty and Matamata Piako areas as well as Coromandel Peninsula and Bay of Plenty.

At 11.15 am, MetService weather radar detected a line of severe thunderstorms lying from offshore Matakana Island to Katikati.

"This line of severe thunderstorms is moving towards the south, and is expected to lie from offshore Matakana Island to Matakana Island to Shaftesbury at 11.45am and from offshore Mount Maunganui to Matakana Island to the Kaimai Range at 12,15pm," says a MetService spokesperson.

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

The warning is valid until 12.15pm Monday June 5.

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

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in force for Coromandel Peninsula and Bay of Plenty.

10.45am Update: MetService has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Coromandel Peninsula and Bay of Plenty.

"A band of heavy rain and a few embedded thunderstorms is lying across the far west of Bay of Plenty this morning,' says a MetService spokesperson.

"There is a risk of localised downpours of 25 to 40 mm/h with this rainband until early this afternoon."

This Watch is valid from 10.21am to 1pm on Monday June 5.

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.

For information on preparing for and keeping safe during a storm, see the Civil Defence Get Ready website

Earlier, 10.21am: MetService has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for the Western Bay of Plenty and Hauraki areas.

"The warning is valid until 11.07am Monday June 5," says a MetService spokesperson.

At 10.07 am, MetService weather radar detected a line of severe thunderstorms lying from Mayor Island to Waihi.

"This line of severe thunderstorms is moving towards the south, and is expected to lie from Mayor Island to Waihi at 10.37am and from Mayor Island to Waihi at 11.07am."

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.