Heavy rain is forecast for the Bay of Plenty later today, with a severe weather warning issued by Bay of Plenty Civil Defence.
The heaviest falls were expected about Coromandel and western Bay of Plenty where 70 to 90mm could accumulate about the ranges this evening and early Wednesday morning.
People are advised that heavy rain can cause rivers to rise rapidly, with surface flooding possible in low lying areas.
A low moving east over the Tasman Sea was expected to spread a band of rain southward over the North Island and upper South Island today and Wednesday, followed by a trough with heavy showers during Wednesday and early Thursday.