While Aucklanders are finally enjoying clear skies and light winds this morning Wellingtonians are instead dealing with severe gales as a low pressure system moves back towards New Zealand.

The low is driving in a cold southerly which is gale force through Wellington with gusts to 100km/h in the city and up to 135km/h on the remote hilltops.

MetService expects winds to strengthen further this afternoon.

Gales are also pounding Banks Peninsula where the average wind speed at Akaroa is 80km/h.  Kaikoura also has gales gusting close to 100km/h.

But the wind is currently confined to a relatively small area.  Further south in Timaru winds are light and it’s a similar story further north in New Plymouth.

MetService has issued a number of rain, wind and snow warnings for eastern and central regions.   You’ll find all their current warnings here.