UPDATE 7.58AM: A severe thunderstorm watch issued for the Bay of Plenty has now been lifted.

A heavy rain watch, which was issued on Sunday, remains in place.

The MetService is forecasting rain easing to showers late this morning and becoming mainly fine this afternoon.

Southeasterlies dying out around noon.

Tomorrow's forecast is for fine weathr with light winds and afternoon sea breezes.

EARLIER:

Periods of heavy rain and possible thunderstorms are possible for the Bay of Plenty region this morning.

Many people have taken to social media to report heavy downpours in the region overnight.

Some people say it was "bucketing down" around Tauranga city.

The MetService currently has a heavy rain watch in place for the Bay of Plenty west of Whakatane, including the Rotorua region.

A severe thunderstorm watch is also in place for Great Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Rotorua.

"Isolated thunderstorms over Western Bay of Plenty, including Rotorua, near the eastern ranges of Waikato and about Coromandel Peninsula are expected to continue into this morning, with heavy rain and small hail," says a statement on the weather organisations website.

"Between 9pm Sunday and midday Monday, some of the thunderstorms may be severe about western Bay of Plenty, including Rotorua, near the eastern ranges of Waikato, Coromandel Peninsula and Great Barrier Island, with localised downpours of 25-40mm/h.

"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. The thunderstorm activity is expected to ease in Western Bay of Plenty (including Rotorua) and eastern Waikato by early Monday morning, then elsewhere by midday Monday."

Image: MetService.