A severe weather watch for heavy rain bursts has been issued for the Bay of Plenty.

The MetService is warning residents to expect bursts of heavy rain from Friday evening through to Saturday morning.

The MetService is predicting rain for the weekend. Image: MetService.

'A moist northerly flow is expected to spread over the country tonight and Friday, with rain expected for many places, especially in the north and west of both islands,” says a statement from the weather organisation.

'This watch is for the possibility that rainfall accumulations could approach warning amounts (greater than 70mm in 12 hours) in the following areas: Nelson and Mount Taranaki: From late afternoon or evening Friday until Saturday morning. Bay of Plenty and Rotorua: From Friday night until Saturday night or early Sunday morning.”

People are advised to stay up to date with the latest forecasts in case any part of this Watch is upgraded to a Warning, or further areas are added.