Bay of Plenty residents are being warned to enjoy the sunshine while is last.

The MetService has issued a severe weather watch for heavy rain.

A front in the Tasman Sea is expected to move eastwards across northern and central New Zealand on Wednesday, then stall over the Bay of Plenty on Thursday.

This front brings strong northeasterlies and heavy rain to the central and upper North Island, and to western Nelson.

'The heaviest falls are likely from Auckland across to Bay of Plenty and northern Gisborne. Note, the most significant heavy rain is forecast for Bay of Plenty on Thursday.”

In the 40 hours from 6am tomorrow, heavy rain is expected to hit the Bay of Plenty.

The MetService says rain may ease for a time on Wednesday evening.

The most significant heavy rain is likely on Thursday.

'A deep low pressure system that develops over the Tasman Sea on Tuesday will be the conductor of this week's weather,” says MetService meteorologist April Clark.

'Though the low is forecast to remain west of New Zealand it will direct a number of active fronts towards our waters, with the first expected on Wednesday.”
Strong northeasterlies and heavy rain are set to accompany the Wednesday front, with the worst hit areas expected to be the upper North Island and northwest corner of the South Island.

The Bay of Plenty region in particular is signalled to receive significant rainfall on Wednesday and possibly into Thursday, says April.

'Many other regions see deteriorating weather on Wednesday, due to northeasterlies ahead of the front that will drag in warmer, moister rain-laden air from the north. This means that few New Zealanders escape at least a brief dose of rain.”

April says the increase in moisture will also bring cloudier skies to the country compared to the weekend just gone.
The weather for the later part of the week remains unsettled with the low pressure in the Tasman expected to continue sending fronts our way.

The changeable weather this week means it is an important time to keep up to date with latest forecasts.