Heavy rain, thunder and lightning are all possibilities for Bay of Plenty this week.
MetService has a heavy rain watch in place for Bay of Plenty east of Ōpōtiki.
In a statement, MetService said a front, preceded by a humid and unstable northwesterly flow, moves northeastwards over the South Island this afternoon then slowly eastwards over the North Island during Thursday.
A period of heavy rain is likely for northern and western regions ahead of the front,
with thunderstorms and localised downpours also possible in some places.
MetService meteorologist Ashlee Parkes described today and tomorrow as "busy weather days" across the Bay of Plenty.