Valentine's Day will be wet for many today, with rainclouds forecast for most of New Zealand and thunderstorms for the Bay of Plenty and Gisborne.
MetService says a trough is bringing unsettled weather to central New Zealand for the next two days, before a ridge of high pressure builds from the south on Thursday.
A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for the Bay of Plenty and Gisborne today.
MetService said heavy localised rainfalls of 30-50 mm/hr have been falling in far northeast Bay of Plenty northeast of Te Kaha Point and over far northern Gisborne this morning.
The heavy rain and occasional thunderstorms are expected to continue for much of the morning.
MetService warned the downpour could cause flash flooding, especially about low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys, and also may lead to slips.
WeatherWatch.co.nz said a slow-moving low has already brought bands of showers to the south of the North Island and top of the South Island.
By the end of the day, almost all of New Zealand will have had showers or, in the case of Canterbury and Marlborough, run the risk of getting wet.
