A severe weather watch for heavy rain is being issued for Coromandel area.

The MetService is predicting a band of heavy rain of rain to hit the region this afternoon.

The rain band is associated with a low-pressure system to the west of northern New Zealand, says a MetService spokesperson, and is expected to lie slow-moving over Coromandel Peninsula and Auckland from this afternoon until Tuesday afternoon.

"There is some uncertainty as to exactly where the heaviest rain will fall, but rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria in the vicinity of this rain-band.

"People are advised to keep up to date with forecasts in case this watch is upgraded to a warning."

HEAVY RAIN WATCH

Area: Auckland, Great Barrier Island and Coromandel Peninsula
Valid: 24 hours from 2pm Monday to 2pm Tuesday
Forecast: A band of heavy rain is expected to lie slow-moving over the area. There is some uncertainty as to exactly where the heaviest rain will fall, but rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria in the vicinity of this rain-band. Thunderstorms and localised downpours are also possible.