Severe weather watch and warnings are in place for the upper North Island from Northland to the Bay of Plenty.

The MetService advises that heavy rain and northeast gales are expected in the Coromandel Peninsula, Northland, Auckland and the Bay of Plenty on Monday and Tuesday. A subtropical low is moving southwards, bringing rain and strong east to northeast winds to the North Island.

A heavy rain watch is in place for the Bay of Plenty west of Whakatane. Periods of heavy rain are expected from 2pm Monday to 11am Tuesday and rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria.

A heavy rain watch is also in place for Auckland from Whangaparaoa northwards, including Great Barrier Island, with periods of heavy rain expected from 3am to 1pm on Monday. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria.

A heavy rain warning is in place for Northland, especially the eastern hills. The warning is valid from 6pm Sunday to 1pm Monday, with 80 to 100mm of rain expected. Peak rates of 10 to 15mm per hour overnight and on Monday morning is expected.

A heavy rain warning is in place for Coromandel Peninsula and is valid from 6am Monday to 9am Tuesday. The Metservice has forecast 110 to 140mm of rain will fall, with peak rates of 10 to 15 mm per hour, but 25 mm per hour in possible thunderstorms from Monday evening.

Another burst of heavy rain is likely in these regions on Monday night.

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

A strong wind watch is in place for Northland, from 1am Monday to 1am Tuesday with northeast winds expected, that may approach severe gale at times.

A strong wind watch is also in place for Auckland, from 9am Monday to 6am Tuesday with northeast winds expected, that may approach severe gale at times.

People are advised to stay up to date with the forecasts and warnings.