Cold snap set to follow downpour

Heavy rain overnight should be clearing today, bringing with it colder temperatures.

Up until 7pm yesterday, 23.8mm of rain fell in Tauranga and the heaviest period was at 4pm, with 7mm of rain.

Metservice duty forecaster Liz Walsh said the rain was expected to ease last night, although there was the potential for heavy rainfall.

"At 7pm, the rain band was starting to break up fracture and was turning more showery, although there is still a chance of falls from 7mm to 10mm in any hour.

"After we get through this. there will still be a number of showers around and a risk of thunder storms and heavy rain until midday. We should then see it easing. We could also get gusty winds."

After midday today, Ms Walsh said the weather should gradually improve and become more settled.

"It should be reasonably settled but there will be a bit of difference in the temperatures with a cold southerly coming through."

Fine weather should continue during the rest of the week, with temperatures reaching 16C during the day and dropping to lows of about 6C during the nights.

While there had been no reports of flooding when the Bay of Plenty Times went to print, a Tauranga City Council spokesperson said they had a standard heavy weather protocol that kicked into action when needed.

"Council contractors do targeted sump checks at known hot spots prior to, and after, every heavy rain event. Commons Ave at the Mount was added to the list after the April 20 flooding."

The spokesperson said this was a good opportunity to encourage people to make sure the gutters around their properties were clear of leaves and debris to help avoid any problems.