Rain to continue through to late Tuesday in Rotorua

Rain is expected to stay put in Rotorua till at least Tuesday. Photo / Ben Fraser

An active front over the North Island is forecast to weaken from late Tuesday.

Metservice said there was a 40 per cent likelihood of rainfall accumulations reaching warning criteria over Taupo, Rotorua and the Bay of Plenty.

There was also moderate confidence rainfall would reach warning criteria over the ranges of Hawkes Bay and Gisborne, Waikato from Morrinsville eastwards, Coromandel Peninsula, Auckland including Great Barrier Island during Tuesday.

A ridge is forecast to move north over the North Island on Thursday after hitting the South Island on Wednesday.

Metservice issued a severe weather warning this morning, for periods of heavy rain and possible thunderstorms.

Expect 160mm to 200mm to accumulate about the Kaimai Ranges and 110 to 160mm elsewhere. There will be peak intensities of 20 to 30mm per hour.

Several flights into and out of Rotorua have been cancelled.