A severe weather watch for strong southwest gales has been issued for the Bay of Plenty.

The MetService is forecasting a front to spread cold southwesterlies over the country today, followed by a second trough bringing colder temperatures and rising southwest gales in many places tomorrow, including the Western Bay of Plenty and Coromandel Peninsula.

Motorists planning on using the Desert Road today are being warned to drive carefully with the chance of snow predicted for the region.

'In addition, the potential for heavy snow also includes Banks Peninsula above 300 metres from Thursday afternoon through to early Friday morning, and the central North Island high country above 800 metres during Thursday,” says a statement from the weather organisation.

'Snow is likely to cause disruption in the far south tomorrow, especially affecting higher roads; blizzard conditions are likely in exposed areas.”

The MetService predicted 2 to 4cm could accumulate above 700 metres, especially about and south of the summit of the Desert Road this morning.

'Snow is expected to return later this evening, with a further 1 to 2cm up to midnight.”