Severe weather watch for Bay of Plenty

Periods of heavy rain with thunderstorms possible are forecast for the region. Photo/file

The Bay of Plenty is on a severe weather watch as heavy rain and possible thunderstorms were expected to batter the region in the early hours of tomorrow morning.

A heavy rain watch was issued for the Bay of Plenty and Coromandel Peninsula.

MetService predicts rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria from 3am-3pm in the Bay of Plenty, with 50mm falling in six hours or less.

Periods of heavy rain and possible thunderstorms were also forecast for the Coromandel Peninsula.

MetService predicted rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria from 10pm to 12pm on Tuesday, with 50mm falling in six hours or less.

A MetService spokesperson said a very humid northerly flow brings periods of rain to much of the North Island today and Tuesday morning.

The heaviest falls were expected to be in the north and west, where thunderstorms were also possible. A severe thunderstorm watch had been issued for Northland.

People are advised to remain up to date with forecasts in case parts of this watch are upgraded to a full warning, or additional areas are added.

A heavy rain watch was also issued for Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Waitomo and Taranaki.