Residents in eastern Bay of Plenty are being urged to prepare for heavy rain after MetService issued an orange heavy rain warning for the region’s ranges from Sunday afternoon through to early Monday morning.

The warning covers the ranges of eastern Bay of Plenty from 3pm on Sunday, August 9, until 3am on Monday, August 10, with forecasters expecting between 70mm and 90mm of rain during the 12-hour period.

Peak rainfall rates of 10mm to 20mm an hour are also forecast, the weather organisation said in its latest weather update.

A front moving eastwards across the northern and central North Island is expected to bring a period of heavy rain to parts of the country, including eastern Bay of Plenty.

MetService said there is only a minimal chance the warning will be upgraded to a red warning, but warns the rainfall could still cause hazardous conditions.

The forecast heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly, increasing the risk of surface flooding and slips.

Motorists are also being warned to expect difficult driving conditions, particularly in affected areas.