The risks today will all be related to wind, as a southerly wind change works its way up the South Island’s east coast this morning and into the early afternoon, winds will be gusty near the coast, blowing strongly at times.

When that southerly arrives into the Cook Strait area early to mid afternoon, winds from the south could gust up to gale force at times through the strait.
“This is due to the squeeze put on by the surrounding land-masses, like a jet in a way”, says WeatherWatch Analyst Aaron Wilkinson, “and it ramps up the winds as it has to squeeze through a smaller gap.” 
Still, this is nothing that area hasn’t experienced before – but worthy of note.

By evening, strong southeasterlies will hit coastal southern Taranaki, whiie Kapiti may see strong southeasterlies in the afternoon also.

– Aaron Wilkinson & Drew Chappell, WeatherWatch.co.nz

– Map: Google