Strong winds have pummelled the Bay of Plenty today, contributing to the felling of at least one tree that blocked the road at Maungatapu.

The tree fell onto Maungatapu Rd about 11am, stopping traffic from travelling north.

Gusts reached 46km/h between 10am and 12pm in Tauranga and subsiding to an average speed of about 18km/h today with westerlies (and rain) strengthening in the afternoon.