A large section of the North Island's East Coast is set for a soaking over the weekend, with heavy rain expected.
It stems from a low pressure system that's expected to develop northeast of East Cape, MetService explained. The system is forecast to bring a "strong and humid southeast flow" to Hawke's Bay and Tairāwhiti.
"Rain with heavy falls are expected to develop during Friday, and continue through Saturday and into Sunday morning," MetService said.
"A watch for the possibility of significant amounts of rain is now in force for parts of Hawke's Bay and Tairāwhiti/Gisborne.
"At this stage it is very likely that this watch will be upgraded to an orange rain warning Thursday morning, when more information will be available regarding duration, distribution and amounts of heavy rain."
The watch is in place for 44 hours from 1pm on Friday to 9am on Sunday between Hawke's Bay north of Napier and Tairawhiti/Gisborne from Tokomaru Bay southwards.
A heavy rain watch is also in place for Fiordland, from 11am today to 11am tomorrow.
People are urged to monitor the MetService severe weather page for the latest.
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