Storm

UPDATED

Reports are coming in from all over Auckland, Waikato and now Bay of Plenty of trees coming down, some roofs being lifted and power being cut.

Vector's website says that at least 25 suburbs in Auckland have some form of power distruption from the gales and thunderstorms that moved over the city around 6:30pm.

Stormy weather has now hit Taranaki.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says the squalls and thunderstorms are moving a little slower than expected but are still moving north and tonight Waikato, Auckland, Northland and Bay of Plenty will start to see rougher weather moving in.

In what is certainly a rare sight the crown forecaster has today issued further warnings covering every main centre in New Zealand as a very large storm churns away in the Southern Ocean.

The crown forecaster has today issued 30 severe weather warnings.

You'll see them all in their entirity below.

This watch affects people in the following weather forecast districts:

Northland, Auckland, Great Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, Waitomo, Taumarunui, Bay Of Plenty, Taupo, Gisborne, Taranaki, Wanganui, Manawatu, Kapiti Horowhenua, Wellington, Marlborough.

Rough weather forecast across some parts of the country over the next few days has lead to an increase in questions to WeatherWatch.co.nz about how the weather will affect airports, roads and ferry services.

While no one can be sure of the exact effects the weather will have on the various travel operators and roads WeatherWatch.co.nz has made contact with a number of organisations to help sort your travel plans across the country.

The crown forecaster issued 21 warnings Thursday evening as a severe storm roars through the Southern Ocean.

Here are all the warnings, in their entirity, as of 9pm Thursday. 

Here's a full list of all the official government weather warnings as at 2:50pm, Thursday...

See below for Civil Defence swell warning for Auckland's West Coast...

Many people are today asking why such a large storm is predicted to only bring minimal damage. 

Because the air pressure is similar to that of a major hurricane or cyclone we've explained below why this storm is different and why damage isn't expected to be widespread.

The large storm in the Southern Ocean has generated a number of questions to WeatherWatch.co.nz wanting to know who will be worst affected and what damage is to be expected.

WeatherWatch.co.nz is fairly confident that despite the aggressive storm brushing the country damage should be minimal, mainly due to the wind direction.