MetService has lifted a severe thunderstorm warning that was in place for the upper North Island, but a watch still remains in place.
Photo: MetService

MetService has lifted a severe thunderstorm warning that was in place for the upper North Island, but a watch still remains in place.

MetService has now lifted its severe red level thunderstorm warning for parts of Northland, but a yellow level watch remains in place.

A line of strong thunderstorms was approaching Northland from the west, it said.

They were expected to generate heavy rain and strong wind gusts in the Northland region.

There was a moderate risk of damaging wind gusts of 110km/h or stronger, MetService said.

Very strong wind gusts could break branches from trees, damage roofing and make driving hazardous for high-sided vehicles or motorbikes.

Fire and Emergency said there had been no callouts yet to any problems created by the high winds and heavy rain.