Gale force winds will rise to severe gale (120km/h) overnight tonight through central predicts the government forecaster, which today issued wind warnings for lower North Island and upper South Island regions.

The strong winds precede a cold, stormy, change which will spread across the North Island during Sunday – ending the Indian Summer which has been experienced across much of the North Island recently.

Metservice warnings as of 4:35pm Saturday

Strong Wind Warning, Areas Affected: Exposed parts of Wairarapa, Wellington and Marlborough

Another spell of northwest gales is expected overnight Saturday and Sunday morning, with possible severe gale gusts of 120 km/h between 2am and 10am Sunday, especially about exposed hill tops and headlands.