Updated 8:01am — Gale force winds are expected to continue to hit the upper North Island today but WeatherWatch.co.nz says the worst is now over for most – despite the risk for more very isolated powercuts and damage this morning.

Across the past two days WeatherWatch.co.nz warned of incoming gales and the likely potential for powercuts – and for the first time we went as far as having “isolated power cuts” in our actual Auckland forecast across Tuesday.

Thousands remain without power this morning, 11,000 in Auckland.

Winds peaked Tuesday afternoon in Northland and Tuesday evening in Auckland. After midnight the gales peaked in Eastern Waikato.

Gales have continued all night but top peaks do seem to be coming down as we head across Wednesday.

However further pockets of damaging gales are still possible this morning in parts of northern Auckland and in Northland south of Whangarei as the gales continue to blow – with gusts still up to 120km/h for some exposed areas.

As predicted by WeatherWatch.co.nz only showers have been affecting Auckland overnight – however that may turn to rain for a time this morning.

Wednesday will be a blustery day for many, particularly for those between Whangarei and Auckland and along the western sides of the Kaimai and Coromandel Ranges.

The gales – which are being created as a low pushes into a high (rather than a single storm) – will continue across all of Wednesday, but gusts over 100km/h will start to become less frequent into the afternoon.

Motorists are advised to drive with extreme care today in Auckland, Northland, Waikato and Coromandel Peninsula.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz