A severe weather watch for rain in the Bay of Plenty remains in place.

The region saw a significant dumping of rain and strong winds rip through overnight.

Image taken from the Bay of Plenty rain radar showing the current prediction of today's rain pattern. Image: MetService.

The MetService is forecasting more heavy rain before a large complex low moves off the country.

The period of heavy rain that hit last night is expected to ease this morning making way for fine weather tomorrow.

The sunshine is being forecast to last through to Tuesday before more rain moves in on Wednesday.

'A large low, forecast to cross the country during the weekend, is expected to move slowly away east during Sunday and Monday,” says the MetService.

'Later on Monday, a front should approach New Zealand from the Tasman Sea, preceded by a strong northerly flow.”

This front is expected to move northeast over the country during Tuesday and Wednesday, bringing rain to western areas.