This week's small snippet of summer will give way to wind and rain with the MetService issuing a severe weather warning for the Coromandel.

A front will move across the country this afternoon and evening, followed by blustery northwest winds.

MetService has issued a severe weather watch for the Coromandel Peninsula today.

There is a risk of severe gales for the Coromandel with strong westerlies expected Friday afternoon, then southwest gales overnight Friday into Saturday.

These gales could become severe, especially Saturday in the lee of the Coromandel and Kaimai Ranges.

It's in stark contrast to the golden weather experienced across the district yesterday, with a number of locals getting down to the beach to enjoy the sun.

Yesterday king tide also saw large swells slam beaches around the district. At Pauanui Beach waves of up to 3.5m crashed onto the shore, causing erosion in some places.