UPDATE 9.42AM: Heavy rain watches in force for the Bay of Plenty are being updated by the MetService.

Another bout of heavy rain is being forecast for the northeast of the North Island for the next couple of days.

"A low pressure system is expected to move over the upper North Island today and Tuesday, bringing heavy rain or showers," says the latest update from the MetService.

"Heavy Rain Watches remain in place for Bay of Plenty and Gisborne and now also include Coromandel Peninsula and the Wairoa District.

"People are advised to keep up to date with the latest forecasts in case changes are made to warnings and watches."

Heavy Rain Watch
Area: Coromandel Peninsula and Bay of Plenty west of Whakatane
Valid: 20 hours from 4pm Mon 22 May to 12pm Tue 23 May
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain with thunderstorms possible. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria in localised areas.

Area: Bay of Plenty about and east of Whakatane
Valid: 24 hours from 9am Mon 22 May to 9am Tue 23 May
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain with thunderstorms possible. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria.

Area: Gisborne and the Wairoa District
Valid: 24 hours from 12am Tue 23 May to 12am Wed 24 May
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria, mainly north of Tolaga Bay.
Note, rain developing over northern Gisborne tonight and spreading elsewhere during Tuesday morning.

EARLIER:

Squally thunderstorms and heavy rain are being forecast for the region today.

A severe weather watch for heavy rain is in force for Tauranga and the wider Bay of Plenty.

"A low pressure system is expected to move over the upper North Island during Monday and Tuesday, bringing heavy rain or showers," says the MetService.

"Heavy Rain Watches remain in place for Bay of Plenty and Gisborne.

"People are advised to keep up to date with the latest forecasts in case changes are made to warnings and watches."

Slips and flooding is possible in areas that have already been hit hard by recent rain events.

Image: MetService.

Area: Bay of Plenty from Rotorua northwards

Period: 20hrs from 3pm Mon, 22 May - 11am Tue, 23 May

Forecast: Periods of heavy rain with thunderstorms possible. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria. Please note, that moderate rain may fall about the ranges east of Whakatane during the morning.

Area: Gisborne

Period: 24hrs from midnight Mon, 22 May - midnight Tue, 23 May

Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria.