Spring makes heavy weather of arriving

Severe weather is expected for the Rotorua region.

It might be the official first day of spring but a severe weather watch is in place for the region.

Rain which began yesterday is set to become worse this morning - potentially reaching warning levels by this afternoon.

A wet weekend is also on the cards.

MetService meteorologist Emma Blades said an area of low pressure tracking over the country would bring strong easterlies and heavy rain across the North Island.

"We do have a severe weather watch for Rotorua and the Bay of Plenty, with heavy rain, possibly reaching warning levels."

Winds could reach gale force in exposed areas, she said.

She said rain and wind would ease by the afternoon.

Tomorrow's outlook was not much better for those hoping for sunshine.

"Wednesday will have a few showers, but there is going to be another period of rain on Wednesday afternoon, but it will not be as heavy, unlike heavy stuff coming through now."

She said the rain would ease tomorrow but wet conditions would return on Friday.

"Towards Friday we have another band of heavy rain, with possibly heavy falls. Friday morning will have slightly less rain, but more rain is on the cards for the start of the weekend.

"I don't know how much use umbrellas are going to be as it's wet and windy, and we do advise people to keep up to date with watches and warnings on metservice.com."