Heavy rains expected for Rotorua

160314bf16 wet weather 16 March 2014 Rotorua Daily Post Photograph by Ben Fraser

MetService has issued a severe weather watch for Rotorua and the wider Bay of Plenty region.

Heavy rain and north-west gales are expected for part of the North Island today.

About 90mm to 120mm is possible in the ranges of the central North Island, with 100mm to 150mm of rain may accumulate about the ranges of Eastern Bay of Plenty before easing early Sunday morning.

MetService warns the rain is likely to lead to surface flooding, slips, and rapidly rising streams and rivers.