Rough weather is continuing to build across New Zealand making for atrocious camping conditions in some regions while hurricane force winds are hitting exposed parts of Wellington.

Heavy rain is currently falling around Taranaki, Wairarapa, Wellington, Nelson, Lakes District and Southland with the heaviest falls in Taranaki and Wellington as of 11:30am.

Strong to gale force winds are also hitting a number of regions – including the more popular camp grounds in the north, reports WeatherWatch.co.nz.

As exclusively predicted by WeatherWatch.co.nz yesterday winds gusting up to 70 and 80km/h are affecting some northern regions – while not damaging to infrastructure the gusts could rip tents and awnings and snap heavy branches.

Camping regions most exposed to the winds are Northland, Auckland and Coromandel Peninsula, Gisborne, Hawkes Bay and Taranaki.

But much stronger winds are blasting Wairarapa and Wellington with WeatherWatch.co.nz reporting stunning hurricane force winds are now gusting over 172km/h on Mt Kaukau in Wellington over the past two hours.  A northerly gale is hitting the city centre with gusts reaching 120km/h at the airport.

Head weather analyst Philip Duncan says these incredible winds could make the Rimutaka Ranges road unsuitable for some motorists.  “Vans, caravans, motorbikes and trucks will be worst affected by these winds across Wellington and Wairarapa.  We advise extreme caution and recommend waiting until later in the day to drive in the two regions”.

Heavy rain is also pounding the area and WeatherWatch.co.nz says the bulk of extreme weather remains across the lower North Island as we head into the afternoon.

Rain has eased in Nelson according to the latest data.