A severe weather warning remains in place for the Bay of Plenty.

A deepening low is expected to move southeastwards across the North Island during Wednesday, bringing a burst of heavy rain.

The MetService is predicting heavy rain in the Bay this afternoon. Image: MetService/Twitter.

'The heaviest rain is expected in the Bay of Plenty and Rotorua, where 90mm of rain could accumulate from noon till midnight Wednesday, with localised downpours of 20 to 30mm per hour possible,” says the MetService.

'This rain may lead to slips and surface flooding, and could make for hazardous driving conditions.”

The Bay of Plenty rain radar as at 7.15am.

Thunderstorms are also predicted for this afternoon. These are expected to ease later in the night, making way for a relatively fine day tomorrow.

According to the MetService's five day forecast, tomorrow, Friday and Saturday are going to be fine with the wind turning to the south.

The rain is expected to return to the Bay on Sunday.

Areas of rain in the North Island tomorrow, heaviest about Bay of Plenty. Forecast @ https://t.co/Yjbq0jxdqz ^CL pic.twitter.com/PApJmVvy9G

— MetService (@MetService) June 28, 2016