The MetService has issued a severe weather watch for Bay of Plenty, Coromandel and Waikato.

A front is expected to move rapidly east over the country today, bringing a period of rain to western areas and strong to gale westerlies across much of the North Island.

The MetService is issuing a severe weather watch for Bay of Plenty, Coromandel and Waikato. Image: MetService.

The watch is also for the possibility of westerly gales becoming severe in the Bay of Plenty, Coromandel Peninsula and the Waikato from late this afternoon into Wednesday morning.

A ridge is forecast to move eastwards across the country during Thursday, easing a strong southwest flow over the country. A large trough is expected to approach the country on Friday, then pass eastward on Saturday, bringing rain and strong north westerlies to most places.

Another front crosses the South Island on Wednesday, and as it moves onto the North Island later on Saturday into Sunday it's expected to bring heavy rain in the eastern ranges of the Bay of Plenty.

While Tauranga can expect evening rain with north westerlies strengthening and an overnight low of 9C today.

Tomorrow's forecast are for morning showers clearing later in the day, with a strong south westerlies and gale gust up to 90km/h. The MetService is predicting a high of 16C with a low of 8C overnight.