Warnings issued as heavy rain heads to Bay of Plenty, Northland

MetService is forecasting heavy rain for Northland and eastern Bay of Plenty as a front moves eastward across northern and central North Island on Sunday and early Monday.

An orange rain warning is in place for the ranges of eastern Bay of Plenty. MetService forecasts 70 to 90mm of rain, peaking at 10 to 20mm/h expected. The warning is for 12 hours from 3pm Sunday to 3am Monday.

It warned that streams and rivers may rise rapidly, and that surface flooding, slips and difficult driving conditions were possible. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously, it said.

There was minimal chance of the warning being upgraded to red.

A yellow rain watch is in place for the north and east of Northland. MetService forecasts periods of heavy rain that may approach warning levels.

There was a low risk of localised downpours that could briefly boost rainfall rates to 25 to 40mm/h, it said, and a moderate chance of upgrading to a warning. The watch is until 8pm Sunday.

Both forecasts were issued just after 9am on Sunday and will be updated at 9pm.