MetService has released a severe weather watch for the eastern ranges of Bay of Plenty.

A complex low pressure system and associated fronts and troughs are expected to move east onto New Zealand from the Tasman Sea overnight tonight, then across the country during Monday and Tuesday, followed by westerlies overnight Tuesday.

'These features should bring widespread rain to western and northern New Zealand, with some heavy falls about the ranges, and strong northwesterlies over the North Island for a time,” says MetService.

'People are advised to keep up to date with the latest forecasts in case parts of the Watch are upgraded to a full warning, or other areas are added.”

The heavy rain watch is expected to be periods of heavy rain from 1pm Monday till 3am Tuesday.