A severe thunderstorm was expected to bring torrential rain and large hail in parts of the Marlborough region this evening.

MetService first warned of the thunderstorm in the Awatere Valley, just south of Blenheim at about 7.45pm

The agency also expected it to move north, near Waihopai at about 8.15pm, adjacent to Wairau Valley and the Richmond Range.

MetService said the torrential rain could result in surface and/or flash flooding about streams, gullies and urban areas, and make driving conditions "extremely hazardous".

"Large hail can cause significant damage to crops, orchards, vines, glasshouses and vehicles, and make driving conditions hazardous."

The warning for Awatere Valley was in place from 8.07pm to 8.45pm this evening, and was due to be updated or lifted soon after.

During the warning period, one person on social media commented they could hear loud, rolling thunder in Richmond/Hope.

MetService has also issued a number of other weather watches around the country for Monday.

In Northland, Auckland, Great Barrier Island and Coromandel Peninsula, MetService placed a heavy rain watch from 9am to 8pm this evening.

It forecast periods of heavy rain with thunderstorms and localised downpours possible.

A heavy rain watch was also in place in the Wairoa District from 1am Tuesday, December 17, through to 1am on Wednesday, December 18.

In the Wairoa District, MetService forecast periods of heavy rain.

"[Rain] amounts may approach warning criteria. Moderate chance of upgrading to a warning."

In the Kaikoura Coast, Marlborough Sounds, Wellington and coastal Wairarapa, MetService placed a strong wind watch from 5pm Monday to 3am Tuesday, December 17.

"A southerly change spreads north through the region this afternoon and evening and gusts may approach warning criteria [and a] moderate chance of upgrading to a warning."

The National Emergency Management Agency advised that, as storms approached:

During and after the storm, also: