A severe weather warning is being issued for the Bay of Plenty as a deep low is expected to bring gale force winds to the region.

The Bay of Plenty Civil Defence Emergency Management Group this morning updated its status to severe weather warning, with wind gusts that could reach 120km/h in exposed places.

A severe weather warning remains in place for the Bay of Plenty today.

The warning comes as a low, formerly Cyclone June, moves down the North Island today.

Severe southwest winds are expected in Northland, Auckland and also about the Coromandel Peninsula and the Western Bay of Plenty in the lee of the Kaimai Range.

'These winds may uproot trees, damage structures and cause hazardous driving conditions.

Widespread rain is expected as the low crosses the North Island,” says the MetService.

'At this stage, rainfall accumulations seem unlikely to reach warning amounts but a watch for heavy rainfall will remain in force for some areas.”

Motorists are being urged to take care on roads as heavy rain hits the Bay of Plenty.

The NZ Transport Agency says drivers need to take extreme care as road surfaces can be very slippery after a long dry spell.

Southwest winds are expected to rise to severe gale Tuesday afternoon with gusts 120km/h in exposed places. The winds should ease late at night.