MetService has issued a Severe Weather Outlook for parts of the North Island.

On Monday a low to the northeast of the North Island is expected to direct a moist easterly flow onto the Island bringing rain to exposed areas.

The areas likely to get the heaviest rain are Gisborne and the Coromandel Peninsula and there is a moderate confidence in rainfall accumulations reaching warning amounts there.

MetService says there is a low confidence in warning amounts of rain for Hawkes Bay, Bay of Plenty and Auckland.

The low is expected to drift away to the east on Tuesday but there is then a low confidence in rainfall amounts reaching warning criteria in Gisborne and Hawkes Bay.

A ridge of high pressure should bring settled weather to much of the country on Wednesday, but a moist northerly flow develops over the South Island.

On Thursday a front is expected to move east onto the South Island and there is then a moderate confidence in rainfall accumulations for Fiordland and the south of Westland reaching warning amounts as indicated on the chart.

An update from MetService will be issued by 4.30pm on Sunday February 26.