A burst of heavy rain and thunderstorm warnings in the Bay of Plenty is expected to dampen the remainder of the long weekend.

MetService report that heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected for the ranges of eastern Bay of Plenty this afternoon and evening.

A low and associated front is forecast to cross the northern North Island today, bringing rain with brief heavy falls and possible thunderstorms.

There is also a risk of localised downpours with or without thunderstorms about parts of Bay of Plenty this afternoon and early evening, mainly in the east, but also possibly about coastal areas further west, with rates of 20 to 30mm per hour.

Rainfall of this intensity can cause localised surface flooding, slips and make driving hazardous.

MetService meteorologist Tui McInnes says falls should ease later this evening.

'Unfortunately the Bay of Plenty for today is a rather wet day, that is set to continue for the rest of the day.

'It will start to ease this evening, as the front passing over the North island starts to move away during the evening.

'We also have a heavy rain warning for the ranges in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, as they are in the catchment area for most of this rain in the north-western flow.

'In particular, moderate thunderstorm risks expected for this afternoon and evening, is exacerbating the rainfall for the region.

'Heavy rain should ease by 9pm.”