Dunedin can look forward to a thorough soaking over the first part of the Easter holiday, with the city included in a MetService severe weather warning.

The warning covers eastern Otago from Dunedin northwards.

MetService says rain is expected to pick up this evening and become heavy at times early tomorrow morning.

From midnight tonight to midnight tomorrow, up to 90mm of rain is expected in Dunedin.

People are advised to watch out for rapidly rising streams and rivers, surface flooding, slips, and hazardous driving conditions.