Heavy rain advisories are in place for Bay of Plenty through to tomorrow morning.

MetServce said an orange heavy rain warning was in place for areas east of Whakatāne from noon today until 4am Thursday.

“Expect 80 to 110mm of rain, especially about the ranges,“ the agency said.

Thunderstorms are possible before dawn with a minimal chance of upgrading to a red warning.

A heavy rain watch is in place for remaining areas of Bay of Plenty until 1am Thursday.

MetService said periods of heavy rain could approach warning criteria.

The weather was driven by a large low pressure system moving slowly eastwards on to New Zealand.

Showers should clear in the east by Friday with fine and cloudy weather for the region over the long weekend.