The MetService has upgraded its severe weather watch to a warning as a front stalls over the Bay of Plenty.

'A front is forecast to become slow moving over eastern Bay of Plenty and Gisborne today delivering a period of heavy rain, before moving away to the east on Thursday.

'This warning is for the possibility of rainfall reaching warning amounts in Bay of Plenty east of Opotiki, Gisborne north of Ruatoria and the ranges of Gisborne as detailed below.”

In the hour up to 8am, 21mm of rain was recorded at the Whangaparoa station as the front moved over the Auckland area.

The rain laden weather front is just passing over Auckland this morning and has brought periods of heavy rain and localised downpours for some northern areas. Whangaparaoa station reported 21mm of rain in the hour up to 8am. More at https://t.co/Yjbq0jxdqz ^MB pic.twitter.com/LXpc4MYDyu

— MetService (@MetService) August 28, 2018

'People are advised to keep up to date with the latest forecasts in case other areas are added.”

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HEAVY RAIN WARNING

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Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous.

Area: Bay of Plenty east of Opotiki, Gisborne north of Ruatoria and the Gisborne ranges

Valid: 24 hours from 3 pm Wednesday to 3pm Thursday

Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Expect 100 to 120mm of rain, especially about the ranges. Peak rates of 20 to 30mm/hr possible during Thursday morning.

Change note: Upgraded to Warning.

HEAVY RAIN WATCH

Area: Coromandel Peninsula

Valid: 3 hours from 10am to 1pm Wednesday

Forecast: Heavy rain and localised downpours of 20 to 30mm/hr possible during this time.

Area: Bay of Plenty from Opotiki westwards, and Rotorua

Valid: 23 hours from 10am Wednesday to 9am Thursday

Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Thunderstorms and downpours of 15 to 25mm/hr possible this afternoon.

Area: Gisborne away from the ranges and south of Ruatoria, also the Wairoa District

Valid: 18 hours from 9pm Wednesday to 3pm Thursday

Forecast: Periods of heavy rain.

Area: Nelson, west of about Motueka

Valid: 3 hours from 10am to 1pm Wednesday

Forecast: Northeasterly rain approaching short duration warning criteria.

STRONG WIND WATCH

Area: Western Nelson, Buller, and northern Westland

Valid: 3 hours from 10am to 1pm Wednesday

Forecast: East to northeast gales may become severe in exposed places.

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