Kiwis are being warned to clear drains and guttering in preparation for severe weather to hit parts of the country on Sunday.
MetService has five weather warnings and watches in place across the North Island and top of the South Island. The number has reduced from 10 earlier on Sunday.
The weather agency earlier warned of a severe thunderstorm in New Plymouth, saying there was the potential for very heavy rain to cause surface and flash flooding near streams, gullies and urban areas, and make driving conditions extremely hazardous in the area.
This warning has since been dropped.
MetService urged those in the areas to clear drains and gutters to prepare for the heavy rain, as well as to avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously.
"Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible," the agency said.
However, while wet, MetService said in a post on X the soggy weather would also mean warmer temperatures.
"The front that's been hanging about to the west has finally started moving over the country today, bringing cloud and rain to most of the North Island and upper South Island. As a result, temperatures at 7am today are generally higher than they were yesterday. Taumarunui has jumped a whopping 11°C, from yesterday's -1°C to this morning's 10°C," it said.
MetService warnings and watches in place:
Heavy Rain Warning - Orange
Where: Bay of Plenty east of Kawerau, and Gisborne/Tairawhiti north of Ruatoria
When: 16hrs from 8am - midnight Sunday
Forecast: Expect 80 to 120mm of rain. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h, especially in thunderstorms and possible downpours. Low chance of upgrading to a Red Warning. Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.
Heavy Rain Warning - Orange
Where: Tasman about and northwest of Motueka
When: 4hrs from 8am - noon Sunday
Forecast: Expect a further 30 to 50 mm of rain. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h, especially in thunderstorms and possible downpours. Low chance of upgrading to a Red Warning. Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.
Heavy Rain Watch
Where: Coromandel Peninsula, and Bay of Plenty about and west of Kawerau
When: 8hrs from 8am - 4pm Sunday
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, with thunderstorms and downpours possible. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria. Please note, that rain is easing from west. Low chance of upgrading to a warning.
Heavy Rain Watch
Where: Taranaki north and east of Stratford
When: 4hrs from 8am - noon Sunday
Forecast: A period of heavy rain, with thunderstorms and downpours possible. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria. Low chance of upgrading to a warning.
Heavy Rain Watch
Where: Coromandel Peninsula, and Bay of Plenty about and west of Kawerau
When: 8hrs from 8am - 4pm Sunday
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, with thunderstorms and downpours possible. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria or possibly exceed them in isolated areas. Please note, that rain is easing from west. Low chance of upgrading to a warning.
