Bay of Plenty residents are being warned to batten down the hatches as the MetService has issued a weather warning for the region.

Isolated showers are expected to turn to rain this afternoon and evening with the MetService saying it could be heavy in some areas.

Media and communications meteorologist Daniel Corbett says significant rainfalls are expected over the central North Island, as well as the north and west of the South Island.

'To sum things up, we're dealing with a very dynamic weather situation.

'The last few days have kept MetService's meteorologists very busy and the next few days look as though they will too. There are Severe Weather Watches and Warnings in effect for many areas.”

Daniel says while the region has been experiencing warming than normal temperatures, Sunday is expected to be colder, especially over the South Island.

'We're expecting snow down to about 400 metres in Fiordland from late today and this could spill over into the Canterbury high country and Southern Lakes areas on Sunday.”