The MetService has issued a severe weather watch for the Coromandel Peninsula with bursts of heavy rain expected to lash the district on Thursday afternoon.

A front currently making its way onto the west of the South Island is expected to move onto the North Island tomorrow before hitting the Coromandel later in the day.

The MetService is predicting that bursts of heavy rain are likely to lash the Coromandel Peninsula on Thursday afternoon. Photo: File

Of particular concern for the service is the effect this front could have on Coromandel, with the heaviest rainfalls likely to occur between 5pm and 9pm.

'While widespread heavy rain is not expected, there is a risk that localised heavy falls could bring rainfall rates of around 20 mm per hour,” the MetService says.

'Since these heavy falls occur over a relatively short time period, total rainfall amounts may or may not be enough to reach the official short-duration Severe Weather Warning criteria of 50mm of rain within six hours.

But the MetService adds that this rainfall still has the potential to cause disruption and make driving conditions hazardous.

In addition, a front crossing the upper North Island may be accompanied by a developing low, resulting in a period of strong southwesterly winds following the main rain band.

'Again, these winds may not be strong enough to meet official Severe Weather Warning criteria, but they may still reach gale force in exposed places, with the strongest winds expected overnight.”

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