The Bay of Plenty is expected to experience heavy bursts of rain in the next 24 hours as a low pressure weather system moves over the region.

The MetService is forecasting a moist northerly airstream ahead of the trough, which is expected to bring a burst of heavy rain for parts of northern and central North Island.

A heavy rain warning has been issued for the Bay of Plenty, east of Whakatane, with rainfall totals are expected to reach 70 to 90mm in just 12 hours.

People are advised to look out for rapidly rising rivers and streams and for possible surface flooding.