A heavy rain watch is still in place for the Bay of Plenty Ranges east of Opotiki and Gisborne north of Tolaga Bay.

Another period of heavy rain is expected this evening, through until early Tuesday morning.

A heavy rain watch is in place for the Bay of Plenty from Opotiki westwards, with more heavy rain expected on Tuesday.

Rain is still expected for today with a few showers throughout the day and winds from the southeast, says Metservice meteorologist Tui McInnes.

'We are still expecting between 40 and 70mm in lower areas and 70 to 90mm further inland against the ranges.

'It is basically caused by the lingering nature of the front that's been sitting over that area and producing the rainfall. As it weakens, the rain will ease off and things will start to improve from there.”

It's expected to get to a high of 16 degrees and a low of 9 degrees.