A severe weather watch has been put in place for Hawke's Bay as much of the North Island braces for heavy rain in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Debbie.
MetService has issued a severe weather watch for heavy rain in Hawke's Bay from midday Tuesday to Wednesday afternoon and have asked the public to keep updated with the forecast as the watch could be upgraded to a warning.
MetService meteorologist Lisa Murray said the forecast was being closely monitored and it was possible rainfall levels in the Bay could reach more than 100mm in just 24 hours.
"The watch could be upgraded to a warning depending on our confidence that the rainfall will reach over 100mm over 24 hours," she said.
Ms Murray said this morning's mostly-cloudy weather was forecast to deteriorate to patchy drizzles this afternoon with steadier rain developing in the ranges.