The Top Half of the North Island is in for a rough night with winds hitting gale force in a number of centres reports WeatherWatch.co.nz.

Gales, severe at times, are affecting Cape Reinga with 100km/h easterlies gusting to 135km/h in the past hour, according to NewstalkZB.

In Auckland gale force easterlies gusting to 80km/h are affecting exposed places.  A comment posted on WeatherWatch.co.nz’s Auckland forecast page says “The wind in the CBD seems to be increasing – the sound of things flying off balconies and breaking is constant!”.

Map showing wind this afternoon over the Top Half/ Weathermap.co.nz

WeatherWatch.co.nz says the winds will peak this evening in Northland and Auckland with strongest winds expected between the Bay of Islands in the north, to Dargaville in the west and Torbay, north Auckland, in the south.

The severe gales in the Far North will ease overnight and die back to light winds by dawn tomorrow.

However as the winds ease in the Far North they will pick up in the south with damaging gales possible about eastern Waikato overnight and during Monday particularly.  WeatherWatch.co.nz says east to north east wind gusts may reach 130km/h in exposed places along the western slopes of the Kaimai Ranges, including the township of Te Aroha.

Rain has set in across eastern parts of Northland and is now just arriving in Auckland.

Rain warnings are still in place for Northland, Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty and Rotorua.

What are conditions like where you are?  Have you seen any wind related damage?  Post your comments below