Heavy rain forecast for much of country

More rain is on the way Friday. Photo / Dean Purcell

Heavy rain is to sweep over most of the country today as a front moves in from the Tasman Sea.

The MetService has issued a severe weather warning for Nelson, Taranaki, Taupo, Taumarunui, Bay Of Plenty and Rotorua.

MetService says a front associated with a low over the Tasman Sea will sweep across much of the country today but will probably not clear eastern Bay of Plenty until tomorrow morning.

It is preceded by strong north or northeast winds and a band of rain, heavy at times over the upper half of the North Island and northern South Island.

The heaviest falls are expected about the Tasman Mountains in northwest Nelson, Mt Taranaki, Tongariro National Park and Kaimanawa Mountains today and about the ranges of eastern Bay of Plenty tomorrow.

Another 50 to 80mm are expected in these areas on top of what has already fallen, with 100mm forecast on the upper slopes of Mt Taranaki and about 120mm near the ranges of eastern Bay of Plenty.

WeatherWatch says the wet weather will "kick off" a change this week to more "normal" weather temperatures.

Temperatures around the country should be mild for the next couple of days, a cold change on Sunday should see average temperatures drop to regular June levels.

- NZ Herald staff