Heavy rain warning for Bay of Plenty as big storm nears North Island

The Bay of Plenty is due for some rough weather over the next couple of days, according to MetService. Photo / File

A heavy rain warning is in place for the Bay of Plenty as a major storm approaches the North Island overnight.

MetService has issued a severe weather watch for the region, which includes Tauranga, as heavy rain was forecast to set in from tomorrow until Friday morning.

Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly causing possible flooding and slips. Residents are also advised driving conditions could be hazardous.

Rainfall between 70mm and 100mm is expected to accumulate mainly about the Bay of Plenty, Rotorua and Gisborne ranges. Peak intensities of up to 20mm-40mm an hour is possible and thundery downpours are also expected.

A front is expected to move on to the lower South Island this afternoon and a major storm, formerly Tropical Cyclone Fehi, should approach from the north overnight tonight and cross the South Island during tomorrow.The storm then moves away to the southeast on Friday. MetService predicts it will bring significant heavy rain and possibly damaging winds to much of the South Island and parts of the lower North Island from late today to early Friday.

The heaviest rain is expected in the South Island, apart from Canterbury Plains and Kaikoura Coast, especially in Westland and Fiordland where 200mm to 400mm of rain could accumulate from tonight to early Friday.

Heavy rain is also expected for Mt Taranaki and the Tararua Range and a heavy rain warning is in force for those areas.

The Bay of Plenty, Rotorua and the Gisborne ranges have now been included in this warning.

Gale-force winds are also expected for southern and central New Zealand, initially from the north tonight, then from the northwest about the middle of tomorrow and changing southwesterly tomorrow afternoon or evening.

The strongest winds will be in Westland, Buller, Canterbury high country, Nelson, Marlborough , Wellington and southern Taranaki, with a strong wind warning in force for these areas.