Downpours on the radar for East Coast, Bay of Plenty regions

Tairāwhiti Civil Defence is warning residents to brace for torrential rain forecast to hit from Thursday night.

MetService has issued a heavy rain warning for Gisborne-Tai Rāwhiti north of Tolaga Bay for 22 hours from 10pm tonight until 8pm on Friday.

It says to expect from 90mm to 120mm of rain.

Tairāwhiti Civil Defence is urging people to clear gutters and drains immediately and avoid low-lying areas.

"You know the drill folks, streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible."

A heavy rain warning is currently in place for Bay of Plenty west of Kawerau until 3pm on Thursday.

The weather forecaster says localised downpours of more than 25mm are possible.

Up to 80mm of rain might fall on top of what has already been experienced.

While the warning expires mid-afternoon, the rain may continue until early Friday morning, MetService says.

A heavy rain watch is also in place for Bay of Plenty east of Kawerau for 19 hours from 2pm today through until 9am on Friday.

There might be some heavy rain during this time, it says.