The Bay's gale wind casualties

WRONG PLACE: Strong winds caused this boat to crash into rocks in Tauranga Harbour.PHOTO/SUPPLIED 090714SP60BOP

Winds of up to 90km/h have blown a boat in the middle of the Tauranga harbour off its moorings and into the rocks beside Dive Cres.

The 49-year-old boat was found wedged on the rocks behind Trinity Wharf Hotel yesterday morning but was believed to be in good condition.

Rescuers from Western Work Boats salvaged the boat from the rough conditions at high tide yesterday afternoon to prevent any further damage from the wild weather.

A gale warning was issued for the Bay of Plenty yesterday, and the warning was expected to carry over to today.

MetService duty forecaster Sarah Sparks said a low sitting to the north-east of the region was causing the wet and windy weather but it was expected to weaken.

"Tomorrow night the wind is expected to ease down to 25 knots, which is below gale. But then it will pick up again later this week," she said.

Tuesday's peak wind gust was 63km/h but gusts of up to 90km/h hit the region yesterday.

Rain has also been forecast for the next 10 days although the sun may peek through on Sunday after heavy downpours were predicted to fall in Tauranga on Saturday.

The MetService warned there was a small chance rainfall would spark a weather warning for the Bay of Plenty tomorrow and Saturday.

Despite the wild weather, temperatures would be milder than earlier in the week with lows of 11C and highs of 16C forecast for Tauranga.

The temperature is likely to drop heading into next week with lows of 6C or 7C and highs of 14C or 15C.