A severe gale warning for North Canterbury, southern Marlborough, Wairarapa and Hawke's Bay has been issued tonight by the MetService.
A front was expected to move up the South Island tomorrow and cross the North Island on Sunday. Ahead of the front, west to northwest winds should strengthen.
The MetService said that in exposed areas of the hill country of southern Marlborough and North Canterbury, gusts could reach 130km/h at times late tomorrow morning and in the afternoon. In Wairarapa and Hawke's Bay between Masterton and Napier, wind gusts may reach 120km/h in exposed places during tomorrow evening and early Sunday morning.
Winds of such strength have the potential to damage powerlines and trees and make driving hazardous, especially for those on motorcycles and in high-sided vehicles.
- NZPA
