Severe South Island winds will ease

Photo / Rotorua Daily Post

Wild winds are forecast to lash the South Island this afternoon, but the rest of the week is set to be largely fine across New Zealand.

The MetService has issued a severe weather warning for coastal Southland, Clutha and Dunedin, as a front over the Southern Ocean is expected to approach the far south of the country later today.

A strong westerly flow is expected ahead of this front, with severe gale gusts of 120kmh likely in areas of coastal Southland, Stewart Island, Clutha and Dunedin this afternoon and evening.

The winds are expected to ease overnight.

MetService's Bob McDavitt said the stormy conditions that have affected most of the country in recent days are almost over.

"The southwest to southerly flow should gradually ease, leaving light winds and clear skies in most places by the end of Friday," he said.

"The high-pressure system moving onto the country late this week is not the strongest, but should be capable of bringing frosty conditions to inland areas followed by pleasant sunny afternoons for most places.

"However, at this stage we're not expecting the high to remain
over New Zealand for very long - the weather is likely to become unsettled again early next week.

"There are generally a few instances each month of winds strong enough to be hazardous. What was notable about the stormy episode early this week was how many parts of the country were windy at some time or other.

"Strong wind conditions as widespread as this tend to occur only a few times a year."