People are being urged to tie down anything that can blow away as strong winds are forecast to last the region tomorrow.

The MetService has issued a severe weather watch for strong winds for the Bay of Plenty.

'A front is forecast to move northeast across New Zealand on Wednesday, preceded by a period of strong west to northwesterly winds and followed by a change to strong and cold southwesterlies.

'Strong Wind Watches are now in force for several parts of the country.”

Strong Wind Watch

Area: Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty west of Papamoa, Waikato, Waitomo and Taranaki north of the mountain.
Valid: 6 hours from 3pm to 9pm Wednesday
Forecast: Southwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places during this time.

Area: Hawke's Bay, the Tararua District and Wairarapa.
Valid: 12 hours from 9am to 9pm Wednesday
Forecast: Westerly winds are expected to change to squally southwesterlies during Wednesday afternoon. Winds may approach severe gale in exposed places with both the westerlies and southwesterlies.

Area: Nelson west of Motueka
Valid: 9 hours from 6am to 3pm Wednesday
Forecast: Southwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places during this time.

Area: Coastal Dunedin, coastal Clutha and coastal Southland including Stewart Island
Valid: 12 hours from 9pm Tuesday to 9am Wednesday
Forecast: West to southwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places during this time.