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Monique Ford / Stuff
Rains are expected across the country on Sunday. [File photo]
MetService has issued a heavy rain alert for the Bay of Plenty during the early hours of Sunday.
The National Weather Service forecasts localized heavy rains, east of Rotorua, between 3 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria, MetService said, and an update will be issued at 9 a.m. Sunday.
Residents are encouraged to keep an eye on the weather forecasts in case the clock updates to a warning.
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The rain is associated with a slow-moving low-pressure gutter, MetService said.
Showers are planned for most of New Zealand on Sunday, except Nelson, who is expected to be fine.
In Northland, MetService is forecasting scattered showers that will become widespread and possibly heavier in the afternoon and evening.
In the west, from Auckland to Wellington, and in Wairarapa, long and fine periods are expected, with isolated rains north of Taranaki on Saturday night.
Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Taupo, Taihape, Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay will see scattered rains, especially in the afternoons and nights in the ranges, some heavy and possibly with hail.
Buller and Westland will see cloudy periods, with rain on Sunday afternoon.
Isolated showers are expected, mainly in the ranges, in Marlborough, Canterbury, North and Central Otago on Saturday night, but the weather should be good on Sunday.
However, afternoon showers may occur in North Otago.
Fiordland, Southland, Dunedin and Clutha will experience cloudy spells with some rain over Fiordland and the south coast on Saturday night, before spreading elsewhere on Sunday afternoon and evening.
The weather will be fine in the Chatham Islands, except for some showers on Sunday, MetService said.
