Heavy rain watch still in place for Hawke's Bay

A severe weather watch has been issued for Hawke's Bay in anticipation of heavy rains today and tomorrow.

A cold southerly flow spread over Hawke's Bay yesterday and more rain was expected today, before easing at some point tomorrow.

The MetService said heavy rainfall was possible, especially about the ranges, but it was unsure whether rainfall amounts would meet warning criteria.

Forecaster Phillipa Murdoch said the weather wouldn't change "too dramatically" over the next couple of days. "Basically, we're just looking at ... that rain for most of the day, with some heavy falls. Heavier stuff will fall around the ranges. We've got southerlies and there could be some fairly cool temperatures."

Highs over the next couple of days were expected to be in the mid-teens, with lows of 7-8C overnight.

Although it was still being monitored, there was a degree of uncertainty and a severe weather warning had not been issued.

"It's not going to change too dramatically over the next couple of days," Ms Murdoch said. "The winds aren't particularly strong, and they're generally easing off."