Another blast of windy weather is returning to New Zealand and this next burst looks likely to be more widespread than Monday’s stormy conditions.

WeatherWatch.co.nz head forecaster Philip Duncan describes the wind blast as “significant” and advises people to keep up to date with the latest warnings, watches and weather news and advises boaties across the country to check their moorings.

“This next surge of wind is being created by a low so large it significantly dwarfs Australia” says Mr Duncan.  “While the centre of this low will remain well south in the Southern Ocean, and won’t cross New Zealand, the pressure gradient between this significant storm and a very strong high in the Tasman Sea will mean the squash zone, where the most intense winds are, will push up over New Zealand from Wednesday afternoon until Saturday night”.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says most regions will be affected, especially southern and eastern areas of both islands and Auckland in the north.

The weather news authority says gusts may exceed 140km/h around Wellington and Wairarapa and some parts of the Southern Alps and lower South Island.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says while conditions do still look mostly dry for Election Day very strong winds are likely in a number of electorates which may have a slight impact on voter turnout.

Image:  A huge low south east of New Zealand makes Australia look small.  The main area of wind is between this low and a Tasman Sea high with New Zealand right in the middle.  See this wind map, and others, in our new interactive Maps page.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz