Severe gales are blowing across the lower North Island this morning after moving up the South Island overnight. Some area are receiving hurricane force gusts – where winds are averaging over 120km/h for a time. In fact, parts of Wairarapa have had sustained winds near hurricane force (only a few km/h shy) and gusting over 180km/h at the Castlepoint lighthouse.

Severe gales will blow across today then ease into Saturday/Sunday for northern NZ — but on Sunday severe gales return to the South Island, again reaching the lower North Island by Monday.

Classic spring weather!

Track MetService severe weather warnings live here.

Keep up to date with hyper-local wind forecasts via www.RuralWeather.co.nz

Please note, winds today are actually going off the key on our map, with gusts 160 to 180km/h in Wairarapa and surrounding ranges. Earlier this week WeatherWatch forecasts winds of 160km/h for today in the lower North Island.

No wonder a truck blew over in the Wairarapa…. Currently gusting over 175kmph at Castlepoint this morning! (Was 186kmph at 730!)@WeatherWatchNZ https://t.co/knFka0p9HV pic.twitter.com/5jnczBOPi8

— Ross P (@Rosspnz) September 9, 2021