Heavy rain forecast for East Coast

MetService is warning of heavy rain for Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty and Gisborne north of Ruatoria today.

Forecasters said a low north of the Tasman Sea is moving southeast and is expected to lie close to Cape Reinga tonight.

An associated trough should cross much of the North Island today with a brief burst of heavy rain, especially about the ranges of the Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty and northern Gisborne.

People in these areas should watch for rapidly rising streams and rivers, MetService said.

- NZHERALD STAFF