The gale or near-gale winds that affected much of New Zealand have eased back significantly for most places today with more sun in the west too.  However temperatures aren’t as fierce as they were yesterday with a south easterly change along the east coast replacing the hot nor’wester.

Yesterday Hawkes Bay and Gisborne were close to 30 but today they are hovering around the 20 degree mark. 

It’s a similar story along coastal Canterbury with light easterlies replacing hotter nor’westers and temperatures are this hour only in the lower to mid-teens for many, apart from Timaru on 21.

In Auckland the gales of yesterday have calmed considerably with gentle sou’westers for most and the skies now mostly clearing. The next two days look settled in the nation’s largest city with sea breezes and mostly clear skies ahead of just a few showers on Friday and perhaps just a slightly cooler sou’wester for Saturday and Sunday.

Wellington has a pleasant afternoon with a breezy northerly and temperatures in the low 20s.

Invercargill has 15 degrees and a strong westerly – those winds are likely to strengthen further tonight and into tomorrow.

Meanwhile more heavy rain warnings have been issued for the entire South Island’s west coast.  Dozens of weather warnings have been issued over the past 10 days keeping MetService forecasters busy over what is typically a quieter period for weather.