The east coast of the North Island, already reeling from Cyclone Gabrielle, is back in the firing line with a new weather watch issued for the region.
MetService said an active trough will move onto the western Bay of Plenty and the Coromandel Peninsula from the east, bringing heavy rain or showers from Sunday afternoon until Monday morning, with possible thunderstorms and downpours.
MetService issued the heavy rain watch on Sunday for the Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty west of Whakatane, and Rotorua from 3pm on Sunday through to 10am on Monday.
"Periods of heavy rain, with possible thunderstorms and downpours. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria," MetService said.
For the rest of the North Island, Sunday shapes as being an overcast but fine day but there could be the chance of a few showers for most places.
MetService warns there could be isolated showers east of Auckland city from Sunday afternoon, with some of them potentially heavy.
In the South Island, Nelson, Buller, Westland and Fiordland should see scattered showers, some heavy with possible thunderstorms.
The rest of the South Island could see some showers, with potentially heavy falls in Marlborough, Canterbury and Otago.
