Bay of Plenty and Coromandel residents are being warned to prepare for a wet weekend with a severe weather watch issued for the regions.

An active front over the Tasman Sea is expected to move eastwards across the country during Friday and Saturday, preceded by rain for many places and strong to gale northeasterlies.

Image: MetService.

A short burst of heavy rain is likely with the front, affecting Northland and Auckland Friday morning and afternoon, and Coromandel Peninsula and Bay of Plenty during Friday afternoon and evening, says the MetService.

'There is a respite from the chilly conditions heading into the weekend though, as warm northerlies on the leading edge of a trough sweep over the country,” says meteorologist Rob Kerr.

'However, severe weather warnings and watches have been issued as those northerlies bring heavy rain and strong winds to many places.

'As we get into the weekend, a complex trough brings colder and unsettled conditions across Aotearoa, including cool showery southwesterlies around Eden Park for the Bledisloe Cup decider on Saturday night. Take a waterproof layer and expect temperatures of 10-12C.”

The trough continues its journey eastwards on Sunday, and is followed by a narrow ridge over the South Island.

The ridge slides over the North Island on Monday, while strong northwesterlies blow over the South Island ahead of the next trough rushing in from the Southern Ocean.