Heavy rain, possible thunderstorms forecast for Hawke's Bay, strong winds expected in central NZ

A severe weather warning is in place for Hawke's Bay with heavy downpours and possible thunderstorms forecast today.

A MetService watch for heavy rain in the Tararua District has been lifted but there is still a strong wind watch for Taranaki, Wellington and the Marlborough Sounds.

The heavy rain in Hawke's Bay is being caused by a slow moving low pressure system east of the North Island.

This low is forecast to cause periods of heavy rain about eastern parts of the North Island.