A few showers with fine breaks. Cloud increasing this afternoon. Northeasterlies, becoming strong around midday.

That is the forecast for Tauranga today. But rain with heavy falls is expected to creep in across the city on Monday.

A severe weather watch issued for heavy rain on Saturday remains in place for Tauranga and the wider Bay of Plenty today.

"A low and associated fronts over the Tasman Sea are expected to move east to affect the country from late Sunday to early Tuesday, bringing strong winds and heavy rain to many parts of New Zealand," says a statement on the MetService website.

"Heavy rain warnings and watches are in place for northern and western parts of the country and strong wind watches are also in force for the upper North Island.

"People are advised to stay up to date with the latest forecasts in case any changes are made, or further areas are added."

Heavy Rain Watch

Area: Northland

Period: 15hrs from 3pm Sun, 28 May - 6am Mon, 29 May

Forecast: Periods of heavy rain with thunderstorms possible. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria, especially in the north and east.

Area: Auckland including Great Barrier Island

Period: 14hrs from 10pm Sun, 28 May - noon Mon, 29 May

Forecast: Periods of heavy rain with thunderstorms possible. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria.

Area: Coromandel Peninsula

Period: 12hrs from 3am - 3pm Mon, 29 May

Forecast: Periods of heavy rain with thunderstorms possible. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria.

Area: Bay of Plenty about and west of Whakatane including Rotorua

Period: 15hrs from 5am - 8pm Mon, 29 May

Forecast: Periods of heavy rain with thunderstorms possible. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria.

Area: Bay of Plenty east of Whakatane and Gisborne north of Tokomaru Bay

Period: 17hrs from 10am Mon, 29 May - 3am Tue, 30 May

Forecast: Periods of heavy rain with thunderstorms possible. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria.

Area: Mount Taranaki

Period: 10hrs from 3am - 1pm Mon, 29 May

Forecast: A period of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria.

Strong Wind Watch

Area: Northland

Period: 9hrs from 6pm Sun, 28 May - 3am Mon, 29 May

Forecast: Northeast winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.

Area: Auckland including Great Barrier Island

Period: 12hrs from 9pm Sun, 28 May - 9am Mon, 29 May

Forecast: Northeast winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.