A severe weather watch and warning is in force for the Bay of Plenty this evening.

The MetService is forecasting a slow-moving affecting the North Island today, to bring further periods of heavy rain to eastern and northern areas.

"The rain is clearing slowly,and the end times of the watches and warnings have been amended to later this evening.

"Please note, that a trough is expected to bring rain to the west coast of the South Island on Wednesday, and a Heavy Rain Watch is now also in force for Buller and Westland.

"People are advised to keep up to date with the latest warnings and watches."
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HEAVY RAIN WARNING - ORANGE
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Area: Coromandel Peninsula
Valid: 6 hours from 4pm to 10pm Monday
Forecast: Expect a further 30 to 50 mm of rain to accumulate, in addition to what has already fallen. Peak rates of 10 to 20 mm/h.

Area: Waikato
Valid: 5 hours from 4pm to 9pm Monday
Forecast: Expect a further 30 to 50 mm of rain to accumulate, in addition to what has already fallen. Peak rates of 10 to 20 mm/h.

Area: Bay of Plenty about and east of Whakatane
Valid: 8 hours from 4pm Monday to 12am Tuesday
Forecast: Expect 30 to 50 mm of rain to accumulate, on top of what has already fallen. Peak rates of 10 to 25 mm/h.

Area: Gisborne
Valid: 8 hours from 4pm Monday to 12am Tuesday
Forecast: Expect 40 to 60 mm of rain to accumulate, in addition to what has already fallen. Peak rates of 20 to 40 mm/h.

Area: Hawke's Bay north of Napier
Valid: 6 hours from 4pm to 10pm Monday
Forecast: Expect a further 20 to 40 mm of rain to accumulate in addition to what has already fallen. Peak rates of 10 to 15 mm/h are possible.

HEAVY RAIN WATCH

Area: Bay of Plenty west of Whakatane, including Rotorua
Valid: 6 hours from 4pm to 10pm Monday
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria.