MetService has issued a Severe Weather Warning with heavy rain and easterly gales expected for the upper North Island.

An active front associated with a subtropical low is moving south over the upper North Island during Sunday and Monday, bringing periods of heavy rain and easterly gales.

Heavy Rain Warnings and Watches are in force for Northland, Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula and western Bay of Plenty.

Strong Wind Watches are also in place for Northland, northern Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula and eastern Waikato.

A Heavy Rain Warning is in place for Coromandel Peninsula, valid for 35 hours from 3am Sunday April 30 to 2pm Monday May 1. Residents are warned to expect 150 to 200 mm of rain. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h are expected from Sunday evening.

Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous.

A Heavy Rain Watch is in place for Northland, Auckland including Great Barrier Island and Bay of Plenty west of Kawerau including Rotorua, as follows:

Area: Northland
Valid: 29 hours from 8:00pm Sat 29 Apr to 1:00am Mon 1 May
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria.

Area: Auckland including Great Barrier Island
Valid: 26 hours from 3:00am Sun 30 Apr to 5:00am Mon 1 May
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria.

Area: Bay of Plenty west of Kawerau, including Rotorua
Valid: 39 hours from 6:00pm Sun 30 Apr to 9:00am Tue 2 May
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may exceed warning criteria.

Metservice advises there is a lot of uncertainty with timing and amounts of rain expected and this Watch could be upgraded to an Orange Warning closer to the event.

There is a Strong Wind Watch in -place for Northland, Auckland about and north of Albany, including Great Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula and eastern Waikato near the Coromandel and Kaimai ranges, as follows:

Area: Northland
Valid: 26 hours from 9:00pm Sat 29 Apr to 11:00pm Sun 30 Apr
Forecast: Easterly winds may approach severe gale at times.

Area: Auckland about and north of Albany, including Great Barrier Island
Valid: 24 hours from 6:00am Sun 30 Apr to 6:00am Mon 1 May
Forecast: Easterly winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.

Area: Coromandel Peninsula and eastern Waikato near the Coromandel and Kaimai ranges
Valid: 26 hours from 7:00am Sun 30 Apr to 9:00am Mon 1 May
Forecast: East to northeast winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.