Weather: Thunderstorms and heavy rain forecast for many parts of ...

Weather watches and warnings are in place around the country with heavy rain forecast throughout Friday.

Auckland, Northland and Great Barrier Island have been placed under severe thunderstorm watches, as rain from a complex trough moves over the top of the country.

MetService said these areas could see rainfall peak at 40mm/h.

The Coromandel Peninsula, Taupō and the Bay of Plenty are also affected.

Rivers are forecast to rise in Bay of Plenty, Rotorua and Tasman northwest of Motueka.

Slips and localised surface flooding can also be expected, MetService said.

In the South Island, Tasman District Council has been monitoring the heavy rain forecast for parts of the region.

RNZ  

Severe weather warnings and watches Bay of Plenty and Rotorua - heavy rain warning Period: 

15hrs from 9am - midnight Fri, 14 Jun

Forecast: 

Expect another 60 to 90 mm of rain to accumulate on top of what has already fallen. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h, but rates of 25 to 35 mm/h possible in localised downpours and thunderstorms.

Tasman northwest of Motueka - heavy rain warning Period: 

14hrs from 9am - 11pm Fri, 14 Jun

Forecast: 

Expect another 50 to 80 mm of rain to accumulate. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h. Minimal chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.

Northland - heavy rain watch Period: 

4hrs from 9am - 1pm Fri, 14 Jun

Forecast: 

Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h, but rates of 25 to 40 mm/h possible in localised downpours and thunderstorms.

Auckland including Great Barrier Island and Coromandel Peninsula - heavy rain watch Period: 

4hrs from 9am - 1pm Fri, 14 Jun

Forecast: 

Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h, but rates of 25 to 40 mm/h possible in localised downpours and thunderstorms.

Northland, Auckland, Great Barrier Island - severe thunderstorm watch Period: 

3hrs 30min from 8:30am - noon Fri, 14 Jun

Forecast:

Periods of heavy rain with embedded thunderstorms and/or localised downpours are expected to affect Northland, Auckland and Great Barrier Island this morning. Localised downpours of 25-40 mm/h are possible in some places, which could occur with or without thunderstorms. 

Gisborne north of Tokomaru Bay - heavy rain watch Period: 

15hrs from 9am - midnight Fri, 14 Jun

Forecast: 

Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria. Thunderstorms possible.

Mt Taranaki - heavy rain watch Period: 

11hrs from 9am - 8pm Fri, 14 Jun

Forecast: 

Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria. Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.

Taupō - heavy rain watch Period: 

12hrs from 9am - 9pm Fri, 14 Jun

Forecast: 

Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria. Thunderstorms possible.

Tasman about and southeast of Motueka and Marlborough northwest of the Wairau River - heavy rain watch Period: 

14hrs from 9am - 11pm Fri, 14 Jun

Forecast: 

Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria. Low chance of upgrading to a Warning.