Keep one eye on the skies today as the MetService has issued a severe weather watch for the Coromandel Peninsula.

A deep low is expected to lie west of the North Island, with an associated frontal band forecasted to move across northern and central New Zealand today and Tuesday morning.

This front will be preceded by strong to gale east to northeast winds, bringing a burst of heavy rain to northern and central parts of the North Island.

Rain should fall on the Coromandel from this morning through to tomorrow, with the most persistent heavy rain likely to strike overnight Monday and early Tuesday morning.

Across the Waikato region, the MetService says there is also a possibility of easterly gales becoming severe from tonight through to about midday on Tuesday.

The MetService advises locals to keep up to date with the latest forecasts as it is possible that parts of this watch could be upgraded to a full warning.

A severe weather warning is issued whenever there is an expectation that widespread rainfall will be greater than 50 mm within six hours, or 100 mm within 24 hours.

Warnings are also issued if widespread severe gales reach a minimum speed of 90 km/hr or frequent gusts exceeding 110 km/hr.