A heavy wind watch has been forecast for Taranaki from 10am to 5pm today, with MetService saying westerly winds “may approach severe gale in exposed places”.
Glassey said windy conditions are forecast through the central North Island, especially around Tararua District and central Hawke’s Bay, as well as in Tāmaki Makaurau.
“There is a strong and higher than normal wind anomaly for most of the North Island.”
High winds are predicted for Auckland’s Harbour Bridge from 10am until 2pm. This follows New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi’s strong wind warning issued for the bridge yesterday evening.
Glassely drew attention to a low-pressure system crossing the country from the southwest, bringing with it a strong band of rain, showers and possible thunderstorms.
“Lots of places over the North Island and the South Island can expect more showers, but they will ease by the end of the day, turning into more isolated showers,” he said.
The wet weather would arrive earlier in the South Island than the North Island, he said.
Glassely warned New Zealanders should all expect chillier weather today as temperatures will be significantly colder than the balmy highs the country has been experiencing over the past two weeks.
Auckland reached a high of nearly 30C on Wednesday - the hottest day in four years.
“The north of the North Island should experience temperatures in the low 20s, the central and bottom of the North Island places like Manuwatū, Hawke’s Bay and Wellington will hit the high teens.”
However, he said the weather should clear up by tomorrow.
“A ridge of high pressure will come across the North Island, bringing high temperatures and less wind.”
