Severe thunderstorm watch - valid until 9pm Friday
The combination of another warm humid day and light winds are expected to produce thunderstorms about many parts of the North Island this afternoon and evening.
Between about 1pm and 9pm today, a few of the thunderstorms could be severe about inland North Island areas from Northland to Whanganui, Taihape and Hawkes Bay (including Auckland), and also affecting coastal parts of Gisborne and Hawkes Bay.
These thunderstorms are expected to produce localised downpours of 25-40 mm/hr (or more), hail 20mm diameter (or larger), and maybe wind gusts of 60-80km/hr.
Rainfall of this intensity can cause surface and/or flash flooding, especially about low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys, and may also lead to slips.
Driving conditions will also be hazardous with surface flooding and poor visibility in heavy rain.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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85.5% Yes
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11.3% No
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3.1% Other - I'll share below
Today's Riddle: Guaranteed Brain Stretch!
What bird is the strongest of them all?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.
Become an SPCA Foster Hero!
Kitten season has arrived, and over the next six months, over 8,000 cats and kittens will come into SPCA’s care. Please help us give these babies the best start in life and sign up to be a foster parent today! It's not just cats and kittens - we are also urgently seeking foster homes for dogs and small animals.
Fostering saves lives and helps these tiny babies grow into healthy, well-adjusted adults, ready for adoption. We cover all training and costs. All you need is time and love to spare!
Sign up today and save a life!