Wild winds dying out as sun returns

Strong winds should die out by today. Photo / Nick Reed

The strong southerly winds that brought down power lines in central Auckland yesterday should die out today before warmer temperatures return.

Power lines were downed on Gillies Ave in Newmarket yesterday afternoon, causing power to be cut to 1,300 homes in the central suburb for a couple of hours.

Further north, campers making the most of the long weekend at Wenderholm Regional Park reported people were struggling with their tents as winds battered the coastline.

Strong winds also caused headaches in the lower North Island, with westerly gales of up to 90km/h downing trees and causing power lines to short in South Wairarapa.

Rural fire crews spent 17 hours battling a fire in remote farmland on Cape Palliser from Thursday night after winds blew a shrub into power lines.

Elsewhere in the region, a downed tree blocked a road, and a power pole caught alight at the top after wind crossed the wires, causing a short.

MetService meteorologist Ciaran Doolin said the southerly winds had brought cooler temperatures to much of the country yesterday, but would be dying out today.

Auckland could expect temperatures up to 24C today and tomorrow, Mr Doolin said.

Rugby fans in Wellington for the Sevens might have felt the cool winds in their costumes. Temperatures reached about 16C yesterday and fell to 10C overnight, but were expected to warm up today, with a high of 19C forecast in the capital.

"The southerlies that are bringing that really cold air are going to turn around to the north tomorrow in the afternoon," Mr Doolin said.

The northern regions were shaping up to be the warmest this weekend, with Whangarei, Thames, Pukekohe, Waihi, Bay of Plenty and Whitianga all reaching temperatures of 25C today, Mr Doolin said.

Warmer temperatures were also forecast for areas in the far south.

Today's forecast

• Whangarei: Fine spells, a chance of a morning shower, with southerlies dying out. High 25°C, low 14°C.

• Auckland: A few morning showers, then fine spells with a southerly dying out. High 24°C, low 15°C.

• Tauranga: Fine with light winds. High 25°C, low 14°C.

• Hamilton: Mainly fine, a chance of a morning shower, with light winds. High 24°C, low 10°C.

• Wellington: Early showers, then fine, with southerlies dying out, northerly developing. High 19°C, low 14°C.

• Christchurch: Sunny with southwesterlies dying out in the morning. High 24°C, low 10°C.

- NZME. Additional reporting Wairarapa Times-Age