UPDATED 4:30pm — Thunderstorms are continuing this afternoon across central and northern regions of the North Island.

There are widespread downpours across South Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty in particular.

Storms will be peaking now until early evening.

There are a number of hot spots where big downpours and thunderstorms are flaring up.

Some of the biggest downpours are currently in western Waikato.

#HAMILTON and western #Waikato: Happening now — Significant #thunderstorms in the area, mostly west of the city. Flooding possible. pic.twitter.com/FZT6hNnJhb

— WeatherWatch.co.nz (@WeatherWatchNZ) November 30, 2017

#NOW: A number of ‘hot spots’ in the upper half of the North Island all ripe for thunderstorms, hail, intense downpours & possible severe weather.https://t.co/7QnRIQ7y9Q pic.twitter.com/nwytcYB79B

— WeatherWatch.co.nz (@WeatherWatchNZ) November 30, 2017

#AUCKLAND: Thunderstorms continue to grow along with very heavy rain in SOUTH AUCKLAND. Motorists on #SH1 please take extreme care.
A chance of flooding, traffic delays and flight delays @AKL_Airport pic.twitter.com/ifn5q2SqiM

— WeatherWatch.co.nz (@WeatherWatchNZ) November 30, 2017

Surface and flash flooding are possible, along with hail and cloud to ground lightning strikes. WeatherWatch.co.nz says there may be delays for motorists and those flying in or out of Auckland Airport with intense thunderstorms and rain in the area.

As of 3:25pm most of the biggest downpours were moving away from the airport area, but still nearby.

There are also thunderstorms and intense downpours in Central Plateau and also the mountains of the Upper South Island.

Thunderstorms continue to grow around #AucklandAirport @AKL_Airport. Possible flight delays. Motorists watch for possible surface flooding. pic.twitter.com/FVhK9NZgJF

— WeatherWatch.co.nz (@WeatherWatchNZ) November 30, 2017

#BayofPlenty Motorists – take extreme care on SH2 between Pukehina and #Whakatane due to possible severe thunderstorms, hail and surface/flash flooding. pic.twitter.com/6jZFgopQDA

— WeatherWatch.co.nz (@WeatherWatchNZ) November 30, 2017

Storms and downpours usually peak from mid to late afternoon to early evening. Downpours are now developing over Auckland and could lead to surface flooding/water on highways and roads. Thunderstorms may also develop in the city this afternoon, however they will be isolated with sunny areas around the fringes.

You can LIVE TRACK the thunderstorms here.

It’s not just New Zealand dealing with thunder – all across Australia big thunderstorms have been occurring with even more on the way over the next 72 hours.

This image below by our partners at The Weather Company shows where all the thunderstorms were as of yesterday evening.

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A few good rumbles overhead in Ardmore #thunder @WeatherWatchNZ

— Josh (@JoshC_NZ) November 30, 2017

Looking tad black North of Papakura
Cc @WeatherWatchNZ pic.twitter.com/Fs6072ubBX

— Ben Ross (@BenRoss_AKL) November 30, 2017

#Auckland: Thunderstorms & heavy downpours developing over the city & moving in from the Waikato area. https://t.co/pMJoYTXSlK pic.twitter.com/MhZ1mr9LdG

— WeatherWatch.co.nz (@WeatherWatchNZ) November 30, 2017