A severe weather watch has been issued for the Bay of Plenty and Coromandel as heavy rain lashes the regions.

Heavy rain has been falling in the region for the past 12 hours, and the MetService is forecasting more rain for the next 12 hours.

'An active front moves slowly eastwards over the North Island today and its associated low over the Tasman Sea moves southeast across the South Island as well.

'These two features should bring a period of heavy rain to Coromandel Peninsula and Bay of Plenty including Rotorua, and also about the ranges of Westland, where rain amounts could reach short duration warning criteria, for example 50mm in 6 hours or 70mm in 12 hours.

'People, especially in these areas, are advised to stay up to date with the latest forecasts in case parts of this Watch are upgraded to a full Warning, or further areas are added.”

Some heavy showers are still likely in Auckland until this evening, but the broad scale heavy rain in Auckland and Northland has passed, the heavy rain watch for these two areas is now lifted.

'The threat of severe gale northeasterlies about exposed parts of the North Island including Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, Waitomo, Taumarunui, Bay of Plenty Rotorua Taupo Taranaki Taihape and Wanganui has passed, and the Watch there is now lifted.”

You can see the cloud rotate about the low pressure centre to the west of the South Island from the IR satellite loop, courtesy of JMA. ^AH pic.twitter.com/FcEjEHtt4c

— MetService (@MetService) August 27, 2017

HEAVY RAIN WATCH

Area: Coromandel Peninsula

Valid: 6 hours from 9am to 3pm Monday

Forecast: Heavy rain may reach short duration warning criteria, for example 60mm in 9 hours, and thunderstorms are possible.

Area: Bay Of Plenty, Rotorua

Valid: 12 hours from 9am to 9pm Monday

Forecast: Heavy rain may reach short duration warning criteria, for example 60mm in 9 hours or 70mm in 12 hours, and thunderstorms are possible.