A severe weather watch has been issused by Metservice for North Island areas including Rotorua and the Bay of Plenty.
"A complex trough is expected to move east over the North Island tonight (Friday) and tomorrow, to clear the country early Sunday. This trough is expected to bring a burst of heavy rain to Mt Taranaki until this evening and a warning is currently in force. This trough is also expected to bring significant rain to some other parts of the North Island."
The watch is for the possibility that rainfall accumulations may exceed warning criteria in areas including the Bay of Plenty.
It said bursts of heavy rain were expected from tonight but are expected to ease tomorrow evening.
