UPDATED 5:04pm — A burst of gusty to gale force winds on Saturday cut power to over 1000 Aucklanders and brought trees down, some even on to vehicles.

WeatherWatch.co.nz earlier said while there have been a few windy events since that April 10 storm this is the first nor’easter. “The damaging winds in Auckland earlier this month were from the west to south west and a lot of trees still have broken branches sitting in them or are on a lean. Now the winds will come in from the opposing direction which could bring down any loose branches or already broken trees” says head forecaster Philip Duncan. 

“Normally a wind event like this wouldn’t warrant too much of a special focus but due to the incredibly damaging wind event two and half weeks ago we just want people to be aware that having winds from the opposite direction may shake loose more debris and large branches. If these are now powerlines we can’t rule out further isolated power cuts”.

Mr Duncan says branches may also fall on to roads so motorists should be extra vigilant today and tonight.

Already trees and branches have come down, cutting power to hundreds in Auckland.

– “Two minutes earlier I was sitting in the driver’s seat. Timing” – wrote Aucklander Myrddin Gwynedd on Twitter this afternoon.

Vector told WeatherWatch.co.nz late this morning that winds today on top of the damage to trees earlier in the month will likely lead to more power outages than usual for today’s wind event.

Generally speaking WeatherWatch.co.nz doesn’t expect too much negative impact from the adverse weather this weekend in Auckland, but being mid-Autumn any wind plus rain will shake loose a lot of leaves which may block gutters and lead to ponding on some roads and highways. The recent storm and damage to trees/branches is the main reason for drawing attention to the wind in Auckland over the next 24 hours, just in case it causes a couple more power cuts from isolated broken branches coming down. We advise people to take care in gusty conditions around large trees today and Saturday.

– Image: Saturday afternoon wind GUST map / ECMWF

– WeatherWatch.co.nz