A burst of heavy rain is being forecast for the Eastern Bay of Plenty tonight.

The MetService has issued a severe weather watch for the region as an active front is expected to move east across the upper North Island overnight Monday.

'A period of heavy rain is expected with this front, especially for the eastern Bay of Plenty where rainfall accumulation may reach short during warning criteria (for example 70 to 80mm in 12 hours).

'This watch is for the possibility that rainfall amounts will reach warning criteria in the following area.”

BAY OF PLENTY EAST OF KAWERAU: From Monday evening until early Tuesday morning.

People are advised to keep up to date with forecasts in case this watch is upgraded to a full warning, or other areas are added to the watch.