Heavy rain is being forecast for the Bay of Plenty on Monday and Tuesday as a front moves away to the east and another moves into the far south of the South Island.

This front is preceded by a strong moist northerly flow and is expected to cross the rest of the country during Monday and early Tuesday.

Rain is on the cards for Tauranga until Thursday.

The MetService is predicting rain for Tauranga until Wednesday and the sunshine is expected to brighten up skies on Thursday.

The front should bring widespread rain to the west and north of both islands during Sunday, Monday and early Tuesday, with heaviest falls likely in western areas, the far north of the South Island and the northeast of the North Island.

As the front clears the North Island, there is low probability of significant amounts of heavy rain about the ranges of eastern Bay of Plenty late Monday and early Tuesday.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, another ridge of high pressure should build over the country, bringing the sun back to Tauranga.