A severe weather watch has been issued for the Bay of Plenty as a series of boisterous and rapidly moving fronts sweep across the country.

The watch is for the possibility of gales becoming severe in the Bay of Plenty and the Coromandel.

People are being warned to prepare for severe wind in the next couple of days.

MetService meteorologist Elke Louw says the fronts will be preceded by heavy rain for western areas.

'There is currently a watch out for severe gales for most of the North Island and a warning for Canterbury high country and foothills,” says Elke.

'The rain and showers could be accompanied by some squally thunderstorms from Taranaki to southern Auckland.”

Gale-force westerly winds, with gusts to 110km/h, plus heavy showers are likely, with and further warnings may be required.

Elke continues: 'There is going to be a definite wintry feel to the air over the next couple of days with these strong blustery winds and colder temperatures.

'The rain clears for a brief period for the North Island as we head towards the end of the week.

'The weekend will once again see another front approaching from the Tasman Sea, with strengthening northwest winds as well as rain, with the likelihood of some heavy falls for the western areas.”