KEY POINTS:
Wind gusts in the coastal areas of Otago peaked at about 130km an hour this morning.
Metservice forecaster Ian Miller said the gusts were weakening but still reaching 120km an hour.
Mr Miller said by noon today they were expected to be about 100km an hour and drop later this evening.
He said the gusts still had the ability to damage trees, power lines and roofs. They could also make driving for motor cyclists and cars towing caravans dangerous.
A spokesman for the Southern fire communications centre said there were no report of serious incidents overnight.
- NZHERALD STAFF