New Zealand remains caught up in the westerly web of winds but today the country gets a breather – at least for most main centres.  While a fairly brisk sou’wester may still blow about the tops of the hills and some exposed coastal areas, like Auckland, the majority of main centres will enjoy calmer weather today.

But the lighter winds don’t last long. 

Overnight Saturday and into Sunday morning a north west blast will develop over the South Island ranges – gales are likely around the Southern Alps and the Canterbury foothills.

By early Monday those gale force winds move north into Wellington and throughout Monday most of the North Island will be dominated by strong to gale force winds from the west or north west.

On Tuesday the winds ease across the North Island but return to the South Island, mostly the Deep South and around the Southern Alps.

On Wednesday strong westerlies return to the North Island with gales possible in the east from Wellington to Gisborne.  Winds ease a little in the South Island but still remain brisk in exposed areas.

By Thursday strong winds affect all of New Zealand going right through Friday then very slowly easing on Election Day, Saturday. 

Calm weather, according to the long range wind maps at WeatherWatch.co.nz, returns by next Sunday and generally speaking should last until December 1st.

Classic spring weather.

– Homepage image / Joanne Ottey

– WeatherWatch.co.nz