A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for parts of the North Island, including those hit by Cyclone Gabrielle.
It runs until nine o'clock Saturday night, for Bay of Plenty, Taupo, Gisborne, and Hawke's Bay.
Meteorologist Jesse Owens says quite heavy rain could be on the way.
"We could be seeing downpours of 25 to 40 millimetres per hour or even more than that," says Owens.
"There won't be widespread heavy rain of that intensity, but there could be localised downpours."
MetService says there is a moderate risk the slow-moving thunderstorms could become severe - and they could bring heavy rain and small hail.
