MetService has issued a severe weather watch for Bay of Plenty and Coromandel Peninsula as heavy rain and strong winds batter the regions.

A severe weather watch is in place for Bay of Plenty and Coromandel Peninsula. Photo: file.

Westerly gales are expected on Monday and may become severe, with winds turning southwest late in the day.

A front is forecast to move onto the lower South Island today preceded by heavy rain about and west of the Alps, with gales expected to become severe in eastern areas from Canterbury to Central Hawkes Bay. Heavy rain and strong wind warnings are now in force.

On Monday, the front moves across the remainder of the country with westerly gales expected to spread across most of the North Island and southwest gales develop in parts of the South Island.

This watch is for heavy rain in Buller and potential severe gales in eastern districts from Hawkes Bay up to Auckland and also in Nelson and coastal Otago.

People are advised to keep up to date with forecasts as part of this watch may be upgraded to a warning.

This watch will be reviewed by 9pm today. Forecast prepared by: Erick Brenstrum Forecast checked by: Peter Little.