A fresh severe thunderstorm threat is now in force for Ōpōtoki, Gisborne and Whakatāne with residents told to take cover as the violent storms hit.  MetService issued the warning at 8.44am with a line of electrical storms lying from Ruatoki North to Waimana to Kutarere.  “This line of severe thunderstorms is moving towards the south-southeast, and is expected to lie from Matahi to Waimana to the Waioeka Gorge at 9.07am, and near the Waioeka Gorge at 9.37am.”  The forecaster warned the thunderstorms would be accompanied by torrential rain and came with a threat of flash flooding.  MetService has lifted an earlier severe thunderstorm warning for the Bay of Plenty that came into force earlier this morning, but a heavy rain warning remains in place.  The forecaster has been issuing fresh thunderstorm warnings for parts of the North Island throughout this morning as individual storm cells develop.  An earlier warning, issued just after 6am, affected Ōpōtiki, Western Bay of Plenty, Whakatāne, Kawerau and Rotorua and was lifted at 6.50am.  “These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by very heavy rain,” the forecaster said.  “Very heavy rain can cause surface and/or flash flooding about streams, gullies and urban areas, and make driving conditions extremely hazardous.”  A heavy rain warning from last night is still in place until 11am for Bay of Plenty and Rotorua.  A severe thunderstorm watch is also in force until 11am for Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay and Waikato. MetService said there was a “moderate risk” of severe thunderstorms bringing downpours with rainfall of 25-40mm/h.  “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.”  It follows Thursday’s severe weather which saw several reported tornadoes sweeping across the North Island, with reports of damage to buildings and downed trees and fences.  ??UPDATED Heavy Rain Watches and Warnings, ⚡Thunderstorms and Downpours⛈️⛈️The risk of downpours due to thunderstorms is there for all of the North Island.⚡This means that on top of Heavy Rain Warnings and or Watches, places could see Severe Thunderstorm Warnings Issued… pic.twitter.com/qq0bM0LfJf— MetService NZ (@MetService) January 15, 2026 Mixed bag for today’s weather  Variable weather is forecast across New Zealand today, with warmer temperatures in the North Island and colder conditions in the South.  MetService meteorologist Michael Pauley told the Herald the low-pressure system, which brought heavy rain and thunderstorms yesterday, would move off New Zealand.  “This pushes east where, around about midday, we’re seeing that main rain band lying just over East Cape, so that pushes off over the afternoon,” he said.  “Things will be getting a bit finer for the upper part of the North Island. We do see a few showers but they’re going to be relatively isolated.”  Friday will have a few similarities to today:Locally heavy showers and thunderstorms in the North Island (but not as widespread as today)Continued rain in the eastern South IslandAnother big temperature disparity:Comfortable in the North IslandChilly in the South Island pic.twitter.com/89yJu4Iqwx— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) January 15, 2026 However, a southerly is forecast to push up the eastern side of the North Island.  “[This] could bring a chance of thunderstorms and hail in the afternoon and evening,” Pauley said.  “In the South Island, those periods of rain will gradually ease.  “But there is quite a bit of moisture trapped down there so that will take quite a while to get rid of all that moisture in the eastern regions, around Christchurch and Canterbury.”  Pauley said northern parts of the North Island could still see some heavy showers this morning.  “They have a fair few shower...