Heavy rain and thunderstorms are being forecast for parts of the country, with MetService issuing warnings for patches of the North and South Islands.
An orange heavy rain warning has been issued for Bay of Plenty east of Whakatāne, and the ranges of Gisborne/Tairāwhiti north of Tokomaru Bay.
The warning is due to last until 10pm today, with 100 to 130mm of rain expected. MetService also warned of possible thunderstorms and localised downpours.
A "showery unstable airmass" was expected to develop over the lower South Island later today, with a severe thunderstorm watch issued for Dunedin, Clutha, and Southland.
MetService said the weather could bring localised downpours of 25-40mm per hour.
"Rainfall of this intensity can cause surface and/or flash flooding, especially about low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys, and may also lead to slips.
"Driving conditions will also be hazardous with surface flooding and poor visibility in heavy rain."
Meanwhile, a heavy rain watch was issued for the ranges of Westland District about and north of Mt Cook.
MetService said it was an "improving story" for the rest of the country with isolated showers and scattered rain forecast this afternoon.
For the North Island, tomorrow fine spells were forecast in the East, with showers elsewhere easing in the evening.
Showers were expected in the South and West parts of the South Island, with fine spells and isolated showers elsewhere.
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