Bay of Plenty residents can expect better weather as the week goes on.

MetService is suggesting an improvement in the weather, after the region was pummeled with heavy rain and strong winds overnight.

In the 24 hours until 8am today, a total of 49.6mm of rain fell at Tauranga Airport.

A heavy rain warning issued for Whakatane and the Western Bay of Plenty was lifted at 9am.

'We can expect quite gustily southerlies throughout the day, strengthening into the evening,” says MetService meteorologist Andrew Best.

'Showers are clearing this evening and northerlies will turn reasonably strong. A high of 24 today with an overnight of 17.

'Some showers are possible tomorrow before sunrise but those southerlies are expected to ease with a high of 24 tomorrow.”

Andrew says 'a definite improvement” is suggested for the rest of the week.

'Thursday should be fine with a light breeze. Friday, Saturday and Sunday should be fine with light winds with highs up to 26 degrees on both Saturday and Sunday.”