Despite the relatively dry start to the day, a severe weather watch for heavy rain remains in place for the Bay of Plenty.

The MetService is forecasting rain becoming persistent and heavy falls. Northwest winds are expected to die out.

Heavy rain is being forecast for today. Image: MetService.

Today's daily high is expected to reach around 19 degrees.

Tomorrow is looking a little better with rain expected to clear in the morning, leaving cloudy periods.

The cause of the impending bad weather is a front which is expected to be slow-moving over the central North Island this morning.

'Widespread rain is expected over central areas from Waikato and Bay of Plenty to Taranaki and Taihape, with heavy falls, and northwesterlies could rise to gale in exposed parts of northern New Zealand Saturday afternoon,” says a statement from the MetService.

Periods of heavy rain are expected about the Eastern Ranges last night, through to today.

'Accumulations could approach warning criteria (for example, 70 to 100mm in 12 to 24 hours).”