A severe weather watch has been issued for Coromandel Peninsula and Bay of Plenty by the MetService this morning.

The watch also warns of possible westerly gales about the North Island for today and possibly for the lower South Island late today and early Sunday.

Image: MetService.

A cold front moves rapidly north over the country today, bringing westerly gales to much of the North Island. Becoming colder about the lower South Island today, with snow lowering to near sea level at night.

A warning for severe gales is in force for central Hawkes Bay and the Tararua District for this evening and early Sunday.

This Watch is for the possibility of severe westerly gales developing in exposed parts of all other North Island areas from Auckland southwards from this afternoon until tomorrow morning.

A warning is also in force for heavy snow in Fiordland and Southland from late today until early tomorrow, and for Taumarunui and Taihape on Sunday morning.

People in all these area should keep up to date with the latest forecasts, as parts of this Watch may be upgraded to a full warning, and further areas could be added.