Heavy rain is on the way for some areas of New Zealand and is even at warning levels as a trough approaches the country.
A slow-moving front is lying over the North Island, MetService said, and this is forecast to bring more outbreaks of heavy rain to parts of the upper North Island and the eastern Bay of Plenty.
A heavy rain warning has been issued for the Bay of Plenty east of Whakatane. From 9pm on Tuesday to 3pm on Wednesday, MetService said 80 to 100mm of rain is expected to accumulate, especially about the ranges. This rainfall is on top of the 30 to 50mm that has already fallen.
MetService warns the heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous.
Up in Northland, there is a heavy rain watch from 2pm on Tuesday to 11am on Wednesday. During this time, periods of heavy rain are expected, especially in the north and east, with localised downpours. These downpours may exceed the reduced warning criteria, MetService said, but over a limited area.
There is also a moderate risk of some thunderstorms for inland Southland, Clutha, Dunedin, north Otago, and eastern parts of central Otago in the late afternoon and evening on Tuesday.
WeatherWatch said any thunderstorms that occur may come with bursts of heavy rain with intensities of 10 to 25mm/h, and hail of 5 to 15mm in diameter.
"The front over Northland moves slowly southeastwards during the day, with a low risk of thunderstorms north of Taupō, mainly from afternoon," it said.
"However, for Northland, Auckland and Coromandel Peninsula, there is also a low risk of localised downpours with intensities of 25 to 40 mm/h this afternoon and evening."
