Several warnings and watches are in place for the Bay of Plenty this morning.

The MetService has issued a thunderstorm watch, heavy rain warning and strong wind watch for the region.

"A front is expected to move slowly southwards over southern Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula and western Bay of Plenty this morning.

"There is a moderate risk of thunderstorms associated with this front, some of these may be severe bringing localised downpours of 25 to 40mm per hour."

The weather organisation says 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.

"People in the area should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and monitor for possible Severe Thunderstorm Warnings."

Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous.

Area: Coromandel Peninsula
Valid: 16 hours from 10pm Wednesday to 2pm Thursday
Forecast: A period of heavy rain with isolated thunderstorms. Expect 90 to 140mm of rain to accumulate. Peak intensities 15 to 25mm/h in general, but possibly 25 to 40mm/h in thunderstorms and localised downpours. Note, further rain or showers are expected during Friday.

Area: Bay Of Plenty west of Edgecumbe, including the Kaimai Range
Valid: 19 hours from 1am to 8pm Thursday
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain and isolated thunderstorms. Expect 70 to 100mm to accumulate, but 120 to 160mm about the ranges. Peak intensities 15 to 25mm/h in general, but possibly 25 to 40mm/h in thunderstorms and localised downpours. Note, heavy rain should ease west of Tauranga by 5pm Thursday. However, further rain or showers are likely during Friday and Saturday.
Changes: For western Bay of Plenty, heavy rain warning has been extended east to Edgecumbe.