Since early September New Zealand has been smacked around by spring gales coming in at all angles.  Damaging winds have been recorded at various times across both islands from Northland to Southland. 

Unlike other years a lot of the severe weather has hit more populated centres.  After not making so many weather headlines in recent years Wellington has this year taken the weather headlines a number of times from hurricane force southerlies – twice – to plenty of nor’west gales, powercuts and thunderstorms. 

Canterbury, especially inland, has also been smacked around by damaging winds, powercuts and thunderstorms.

And Auckland has also had damaging winds, plenty of thunderstorms and no shortage of weather headlines.

Many of you have been asking WeatherWatch.co.nz this simple question “When will the winds ease?”.

There are two answers,

1) It’s very normal to be having this extreme weather in October.  This month is the peak of spring, we’re at the half way mark of winter wanting to hang on and summer wanting to come in early – summer and winter aren’t friends so they usually fight it out over our skies for a few weeks from mid September to mid November. 

2) Here’s the short term good news – for those wanting a breather in the winds there is one coming.  However gales may return before this calm spell arrives.  The westerlies this week will again build over the South Island and lower North Island.  Gales are possible in Wellington again later this week – but – it won’t be damaging and the calm weather is even moving in to central New Zealand the next day.

In fact light winds will return to most regions and main centres this Saturday, thanks to a large high pressure system – the first one in some time to cross the country.

Southland will be the exception on Saturday, with gusty nor’wester moving in.  On Sunday those gusty winds move up the Southern Alps and inland Canterbury – but it will be below damaging gusts and will only add to the warmth.

This weekend is looking pleasant for most places,

– By head weather analyst Philip Duncan

– WeatherWatch.co.nz