There may be no weather warnings in place for the Bay of Plenty, but people are being warned to pack their umbrella with their lunch.

An active front is moving up the country and has seen the MetService issue a severe weather watch for Taupo and Taihape.

Rain is being forecast for tomorrow and Friday ahead of a fine Saturday and Sunday.

The weather organisation says both the Eastern and Western Bay of Plenty will have cloudy day today with drizzle before the rain kicks in tomorrow and Friday.

'A strong to gale northwest flow covers southern and central New Zealand ahead of an active front, which is forecast to move up the South Island Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, then the lower North Island later Wednesday,” says duty forecaster Peter Little.

'The front brings rain to the west of southern and central New Zealand during this time, accompanied by northwest gales.”

The rain is predicted to be short lived with a fine day and strong westerlies easing on Saturday.