The Metservice has issued a severe weather warning for the Bay of Plenty, including Rotorua.
A front lying over the upper North Island is expected to move slowly southeastwards today preceded by a broad area of rain.
The heaviest falls are expected about the Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty, and the northern parts of Gisborne, where 80 to 120mm is expected to accumulate.
Locallised heavy downpours are possible in thunderstorms.
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People in these areas are advised that rivers may rise rapidly and surface flooding is possible in vulnerable areas.