Dunedin residents were treated to a bit of a light show last night as several lightning strikes hit as a storm drifted toward the coast.

MetService meteorologist Tui McInnes said there were about 50 lightning strikes around Dunedin yesterday evening.

The lightning strikes started about 5.15pm and continued until about 7.15pm, Mr McInnes said.

The storm started near the Dunedin Airport and then headed off the Dunedin coast.

The North Island's west coast was hammered by about 8000 lightning strikes in the early hours this morning, with one strike causing a fire in Tokoroa.

Two central Waikato streets have been closed after a tree caught fire following a lightning strike just before 7am.

Police said Kauri St and West Parkdale St in Tokoroa were closed.

A lightning storm heads out to sea as seen from John Wilson Dr yesterday evening. Photo: Steph Aitken

There was also a gas leak in the area.

Police were assisting Fire and Emergency New Zealand at the scene.

People were asked to please avoid the area.

MetService meteorologist David Miller said thunderstorms were concentrated on the coast from Kāpiti north to Waikato, with many occurring offshore.

The area was under a severe thunderstorm watch to 9am, with added potential for strong wind gusts over 110 km/h, very heavy rain over 20mm per hour, hail and possibly one or two small tornadoes.

Miller said there had been no reports of tornadoes nor hail so far.

A lightning storm drifts over Dunedin last night as seen from Pine Hill. Photo: Jen Rolfe

The thunderstorm potential would extend to Auckland by midday, and likely clear the country by this afternoon.

Auckland was forecast a high of 16C today with periods of rain from mid morning, chance squally thunderstorm, easing to one or two showers early afternoon as northwesterlies turned southwest.

Behind the severe weather was a series of fronts and troughs moving on to New Zealand from the Tasman Sea.

Mt Taranaki, Tongariro National Park and hill country from Taranaki to Lake Taupō, including Waitomo and the headwaters of the Whanganui River were under a heavy rain watch to 2pm today.

The lightning forks in the sky as seen from Dalmore. Photo: Ruth Topless

There was also potential for heavy rain in the Tararua Range.

Meanwhile in the South Island, snow was forecast on many of the alpine passes.

MetService had issued road snow warnings for Porters Pass (State Highway 73), Lindis Pass (SH8), Crown Range Rd and Milford Rd (SH94).

The snow was coming with a southerly change moving up the South Island, Miller said.

- by NZME. and Otago Daily Times