The heavy rain pummelling the region this morning is expected to ease in the evening.

A heavy rain warning remains in place for Tauranga as a front, preceded by a moist and strong northerly flow, is forecast to move north across central and northern New Zealand.

The MetService says this will bring periods of heavy rain to northern and western areas, and the possibility of heavy snow to parts of the Gisborne and Hawke's Bay ranges.

There are reports of surface flooding on the roads, people are advised to take care.

SunLive has received a number of great photos snapped by readers of the weather today.

Latest warnings to be updated in an hour but Heavy Rain Warnings (Orange) for most northern areas in the North Island. Keep up to date with the Warnings here https://t.co/Sd5C6lrsSL ^KL pic.twitter.com/QftIob40OX

— MetService (@MetService) July 3, 2019

Check them out below:

Angela Harrison sent in these photos of horses caught in this morning's deluge.

Photo: Angela Harrison.

Photo of a dark and dreary day in Tauranga. Photo: #filmonaday.

Rain clouds moving across the city. Photos: Daniel Hines/SunLive.