Currently the windiest spot in the country is Gore with northwesterlies averaging 59km/h and gusting to 83km/h, gale force winds are rated above 62 km/h so those winds are very strong. Also inland mid Canterbury through to North Otago is recieving quite strong winds gusting to around 60 to 75 km/h from the northwest. The lower North Island and Cook Strait is experiencing quite strong winds at the moment too.

Last night I took a drive to Hokitika and on the way the wind was blowing very strongly all the way from about Darfield right through to Kumara, the rain was also very heavy at times. I experienced one tree that had fallen over and a few small slips in the Otira Gorge.

There were quite a few thunderstorms on the West Coast last night also however due to their nature the lightning tended to be quite scattered and infrequent, the storms were infact more in the alps themselves and to a lesser extent right on the coast. Still heard some nice booming thunder though.

Temperatures right along the east coast’s of both islands are sitting in the high teens or low 20’s region today, Christchurch and Timaru are experiencing the warmest readings currently between 22 and 23 degrees.

Homepage image / TWC 1pm Satellite image – weather.com

By weather analyst Aaron Wilkinson, WeatherWatch.co.nz