The Bay of Plenty, including Tauranga and Rotorua, is in for 25 hours of wet weather, including thunderstorms and a threat of flooding.

A heavy rain warning has been issued for the area, and is expected to be in play until 10am tomorrow.

“A large low-pressure system was moving onto New Zealand today, bringing periods of heavy rain, localised downpours, and possible thunderstorms to central and northern regions,” the MetService said in its latest weather update.

From 9am today until 10am tomorrow, Bay of Plenty and Rotorua is expected to see between 120 and 150mm of rain, with peak rates of 25-40mm/h during localised downpours. Thunderstorms are possible.

The MetService said rain would ease from the west on Friday morning.

The weather organisation warned that rapid rises in streams and rivers, surface flooding, slips and hazardous driving conditions were likely.

People are advised to clear drains and gutters, avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously.