MetService has issued a severe weather warning for the ranges of Eastern Bay of Plenty, as a significant trough moves across New Zealand.

A severe weather watch has also been issued for Coromandel Peninsula and Bay of Plenty.

Photo: file.

Northerly gales may become severe for a time Monday morning or afternoon as a trough moves across from the west.

A burst of heavy and possibly thundery rain is expected to batter the region in the 12 hours between midday and midnight on Monday. Between 80mm to 100mm is expected to accumulate, with peak intensities of about 25mm per hour.

A broad, complex trough, preceded by a strong, moist northerly flow, is expected to slowly pass east over the country during Sunday and Monday.

A band of very heavy rain and northerly gales precede this trough, affecting the South Island today and Monday, then the North Island during Monday and early Tuesday.

The heaviest falls are expected in Westland, where 450mm of rain is possible about the ranges for this event. The ranges of Nelson and Mt Taranaki may also receive more than 200mm of rain in a 24-hour period.

This is a significant amount of rain even for these areas and MetService is advising people there that rivers and streams will rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are likely, as well as hazardous driving conditions.

This warning now also includes the likelihood of severe gales for Taranaki, the Marlborough Sounds and Wellington during Monday, where gusts of 120-130km per hour are possible.

Winds of this strength have the potential to damage trees, powerlines and insecure structures, as well as make driving conditions hazardous.