While it’s still technically winter the spring warmth is certainly upon us as temperatures bounce to 22 degrees at midday.

As predicted yesterday by WeatherWatch.co.nz Napier has climbed to 22 degrees already with Hastings close behind on 21.3 degrees.  Gisborne has 20, Kaikoura has 19 and Timaru, Tauranga, Whitianga, North Auckland and Whangarei all have 18.

It’s 17 at Auckland Airport, Paeroa, Blenheim, Christchurch and Oamaru.

Westerly winds are near gale force in Christchurch with gusts to almost 80km/h while gales are still hammering Banks Peninsula.  Further north and northerlies are near gale in Wellington with gusts to 85km/h.

The windiest place is Castlepoint, the southern tip of the North Island, with gales gusting to 120km/h.