Enjoy the sunshine while it lasts. That's the message coming from the MetService with wind and rain set to dominate the working week.

Possible thunder storms are predicted to move into Tauranga, the Eastern Bay of Plenty and the Coromandel on Tuesday as a couple of low pressure systems and their associated fronts sweep over the country.

Rain is predicted to move across the Bay of Plenty this week. Photo: File.

Warnings and watches have been issued for many parts of central and southern New Zealand, as the first series of fronts bring heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong winds tomorrow.

'It's important to stay alert to what is happening, as there are a number of features bringing different types of risk to different areas,” stresses MetService meteorologist Rob Kerr.

'For example, heavy rain in the Southern Alps could result in rapidly rising rivers in eastern parts, despite significantly dryer conditions away from the Alps.”

While strong or gale-force north-westerlies are common around central New Zealand, especially Wellington, they should still be treated with caution.

'There is also a wee sting in the tail,” explains Rob, 'when a south-west change on Tuesday could bring snow down to 700m briefly about the Southern Lakes and Otago, and also Banks Peninsula could see severe gales as the low moves away to the east.”

Later in the week, a narrow ridge will bring brief respite from the rain and wind from late Tuesday and into Wednesday.

However, another broad, complex low tracks eastwards across the country during the remainder of the week.

Tauranga, the Eastern Bay and the Coromandel are all in line for a decent dose of rain on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Temperatures will sit around 19 degrees with Wednesday the pick of the bunch, with long fine spells.

The weekend is looking more positive, with some early morning rain on Saturday clearing into a sunny weekend.

As this low moves away to the east on Friday, it will leave us with a cooler southerly flow over most of New Zealand.