A severe weather warning for heavy rain remains in place for the Bay of Plenty and while a watch is in place for the Coromandel.

The MetService is forecasting a front moving over the country to bring periods of heavy rain to both regions.

This morning the front is expected to become slow-moving for a time from Northland to eastern Bay of Plenty, before sinking southwards again during the afternoon and evening.

'The heaviest rain is expected to be about the ranges of Bay of Plenty east of Whakatane, where 90 to 120mm may accumulate until this afternoon,” says a statement from the weather organisation.

'People are advised that streams and rivers are likely to rise rapidly, with surface flooding and slips possible.” The MetService says warnings are lifted for all other areas, but many other areas of the North Island remain on watch for heavy rain through to Thursday, and some of these regions could be upgraded to a full warning.

'This is a developing situation and there is the potential for high-impact severe weather during the next few days.”