Bay of Plenty and Coromandel residents are being urged to expect some heavy rain in the next couple of days.

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

"Heavy rain is forecast for parts of central New Zealand today and some upper North Island areas on Friday and Saturday," says a spokesperson for the weather organisation.

"A front is forecast to bring heavy northerly rain to parts of central New Zealand today.

"A moist northwesterly flow may bring heavy rain to the east of the Bay of Plenty on Friday. Another front may bring heavy rain to the upper North Island on Saturday.

"People are advised to stay up to date with forecasts in case any Watches are upgraded to Warnings or further areas are added."

Image: MetService.

HEAVY RAIN WATCH

Area: Northland, Auckland and Coromandel Peninsula

Valid: 24 hours from 3am Saturday to 3am Sunday

Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria. At this stage it looks like the heaviest rain will affect Auckland and Coromandel Peninsula and it is likely that a warning for those areas will be issued closer to the event.

Area: Bay of Plenty east of Te Puke

Valid: 17 hours from 6am to 11pm Friday

Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria.

Area: Mount Taranaki

Valid: 15 hours from 8am to 11pm Thursday

Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria.

Area: Tararua Range

Valid: 17 hours from 1pm Thursday to 6am Friday

Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria.