A severe weather watch has been issued for the Bay of Plenty and Coromandel areas as a rapidly moving front hits the North Island.

The front is preceded by very strong northwest winds which may become severe for a time later this morning and this afternoon about the Central Plateau and Gisborne.

The MetService says winds are also expected to pick this afternoon and evening in Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula and Western Bay of Plenty.

'Forecasters will continue to monitor the situation and advise people in these areas to remain up to date with the latest forecasts in case further warnings are necessary,” says a statement from the weather organisation.

Rain is also forecast for the Bay of Plenty today but this is expected to clear later in the evening.

In the Coromandel the rain is expected to develop later on in the day.