Weather: Heavy rain and thunderstorm watch for Bay of Plenty

River levels are falling but the Bay of Plenty Regional Council will continue to monitor the situation as more wet weather is on the way.

Earlier, the council had told farmers with stock in low-lying areas adjacent to the Tauranga, Whakatāne, and Otara Rivers to move their stock to higher ground.

It comes as rain and thunderstorms were forecast for the region this afternoon before clearing in the evening. However, the wet weather is set to return on Thursday with heavy falls later in the day.

MetService meteorologist John Law said around 70 to 100mm of rain had fallen over the ranges in the east of the region over the last 48 hours.

There had also been reports of slips near Ōpōtiki and Galatea.

Thunderstorms in several spots across the North Island today.

Here's a look at the radar and lightning at the moment but there's more to come this afternoon.

Keep up with the forecast at https://t.co/oKYtrol7HA pic.twitter.com/cH4OXSkvZH

— MetService (@MetService) September 21, 2022

"There were also a few thunderstorms in the east of the region this morning with the station at Waimana reporting over 12mm of rain in one hour and 51mm in the last 24 hours," Law said.

"Looking ahead, we've still got some showers to come across the Bay of Plenty this afternoon some of which will be heavy with possible thunderstorms and hail.

"Although these showers should clear this evening there is more wet weather in the forecast for tomorrow with rain pushing back in from the northeast," Law said.

A heavy rain watch was in place for the far western part of the region and up to the Coromandel tomorrow, from 6pm through to Friday morning.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council engineering manager Mark Townsend said each of the rivers had peaked, with only minor breaking out of the river channels.

"River levels are now falling," Townsend said. "The MetService has advised that more rain is on its way overnight on Thursday. Regional Council staff will continue to carefully monitor the situation."