A severe weather watch has been issued for the Bay of Plenty as an active front followed by a moist and very strong northwest flow is expected to move over the North Island.

Rain is predicted for Tauranga today and could continue until tomorrow.

Photo: File.

Daily highs are expected to be around the 20 degree mark with overnight lows dropping to around 10 degrees.

The MetService says the watch is for the possibility that rainfall accumulations could approach warning levels about parts of the central high country through to Taranaki and the Eastern Bay of Plenty ranges.

Strengthening north-westerly winds are set to play a key part in the weather as a vigorous cold front moving northwards across New Zealand is likely to bring heaving falls of rain to some parts of the country.

The MetService says the topography of New Zealand, combined with a deep area of low pressure, will lead to areas of intense wind during Monday and early Tuesday.

'The strongest winds are forecast to be in the east with gusts around 120 km/h possible in inland Otago, coastal Canterbury and Kapiti, 130km/h in Marlborough and Wairarapa, and around 140km/h about inland parts of Canterbury and Wellington,” reports the MetService.

The MetService severe weather team are monitoring the situation.