The MetService have issued severe weather watches for the Bay of Plenty and the Coromandel Peninsula, as well as Auckland and Northland, as a front approaches the North Island.

Currently making its way onto the west of the South Island, the front is expected to head north today.

Photo: File.

While widespread heavy rain is not expected, the risk of localised falls remains, bringing rainfall rates of around 20 mm per hour.

The heaviest falls are expected over Auckland between the hours of 3pm and 6pm, and it is possible this burst of rain could result in surface flooding on some roads, impacting the evening commute.

In the Coromandel, the heaviest falls are likely to occur a little later, between 5pm and 9pm.

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.

However, this rainfall still has the potential to cause disruption and make driving conditions hazardous.

The front may also be accompanied by a developing low, resulting in a period of strong south-westerly winds following the main rain band.

Again, these winds may not be strong enough to meet official severe warning criteria, but may still reach gale force in exposed places, with the strongest winds expected overnight.

Keep up to date with the latest forecasts and any watches/warnings at: www.metservice.com