Residents in the Eastern Bay of Plenty and in Gisborne are being warned to take care, ahead of a forecast predicting heavy rain and severe weather for much of the North Island this weekend.

MetService has now issued a severe weather warning for both regions.

'A broad low over the Tasman sea is directing a moist northerly flow over the North Island this weekend, with a series of embedded troughs,” says MetService.

'This regime is forecast to bring rain to much of the North Island during this time, especially northern and central areas.

'The heaviest rain is expected about the Eastern Bay of Plenty, specifically to the east of Whakatane, and Gisborne north of Ruatoria, and a warning is now in force.

'This watch is for the possibility of rainfall accumulations reaching warning criteria over Northland, Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula, remainder of Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Taupo, Waikato, Waitomo, Taumarunui, Taihape, remainder of Gisborne and the Hawkes Bay Ranges.

'People are advised that this is a complex situation and to keep up to date with the latest forecasts in case any areas in this watch need upgrading to a full warning.”