Scattered thunderstorms are expected to bring heavy rain and hail to parts of the central North Island this afternoon

MetService has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the Bay of Plenty, Taupo, Gisborne and Hawke's Bay..it's current until 9pm.

It'll likely affect the Napier-Taupo Road and possibly parts of State Highway 2 in Central Hawke's Bay, south if Hastings.

MetService says there could be up to 40 millimetres of rain per hour in some places, and a low risk of a small tornado.

Thunderstorms should die away by late evening.