Ex-tropical cyclone Zelia is taking a southerly track and although the centre of the low is gradually rising, winds have picked up in a number of northern areas.

Auckland Airport has a north to nor’ easter blowing which is gusting up to near 60kph but the winds are unlikely to cause much damage at all to the Auckland region. Temperatures remain in the low to mid 20s but the current humidity continues to keep conditions uncomfortable. 

Further north and weather analyst Richard Green says Cape Reinga is seeing gusts in excess of 90kph and they may top the 100 mark. “Even as the system heads towards Taranaki, winds are likely to peak relatively quickly and New Plymouth is seeing the winds slowly start to rise” he said.

Richard Green says over the mainland the rain is starting to settle in and around Nelson, the West Coast and North Canterbury. ” Christchurch is experiencing warm and muggy conditions  which is more commonplace in Auckland than in the Garden city. The rain seems to have closed in for much of the day across the city but the humidity is making it feel somewhat warmer”.