Tauranga residents are being warned to take an umbrella to work as an active front is expected to be accompanied by heavy rain and gale force winds this week.

A severe weather watch for heavy rain has been issued for the eastern Bay of Plenty, Mt Taranaki, the Tararua Range and central North Island high country.

The MetService is predicting rain for Tauranga this week. File photo.

MetService communications meteorologist John Law says the front is set to approach the South Island today before moving northeast to reach the lower North Island late tomorrow.

While the wettest weather is due in the west of the country, with heavy rain expected for the West Coast spilling over the Southern Alps into the Otago and Canterbury Headwaters, the strongest winds are expected in eastern areas.

'It's a real smorgasbord of weather this week, with gales, heavy rain and some pretty active thunderstorms in places.

'The best advice for this week is to really keep an eye on the forecast and warnings.”