It’s spring – and it’s the time of year gales howl in from the west and on Sunday damaging gusts well above hurricane force (or severe gale) are possible in some exposed parts of central, eastern and inland New Zealand.

Areas likely to be worst affected are Canterbury, Marlborough, Southland, Otago and Wairarapa/Wellington with possibly Canterbury most exposed to the biggest winds. Gusts will be between 120km/h and 160km/h in exposed places through these regions for a time on Sunday PM.

A high to the north of NZ and a deep low just to our south are the reasons for the squeezing of air pressure over the country – and the Southern Alps and Cook Strait areas only fuel those winds to higher speeds.

These winds have the potential to be damaging to buildings, powerlines and trees and will likely cause travel delays for motorists, flights and Cook Strait ferry services over Sunday and Monday.

Worst winds build across Sunday afternoon and night and turn more south to south west on Monday morning in a number of southern and eastern areas – and eases by Monday afternoon for a time.

State owned forecaster MetService has already issued several warnings – with both WeatherWatch.co.nz and MetService on the same page as far as this event is concerned.  MetService is forecasting winds may hit 160km/h “or possibly more” which is an incredibly rare forecast speed – but it is possible due to the intense squeeze being put on the weather systems coupled with the Southern Alps.  WeatherWatch.co.nz supports all the warnings issued by MetService for this event.

Those in eastern and central areas of the country are urged to keep up with all their weather warnings

WeatherWatch.co.nz will also have special updates on Sunday PM and Monday AM for this event.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz