KEY POINTS:
Spring is certainly making itself felt at the moment with summer-like temperatures over eastern areas and gales ripping through exposed places.
The wind-storm has lacked enough oomph to cause damage in populated areas but it may be an indicator as to what's on the way. Typically October is a very stormy month with plenty of wind and thunderstorms over the nation. September has been relatively calm and settled so far - and for those north of Central Plateau the weather has simply been spectacular lately after such a wet winter.
Wellington and central New Zealand are still be knocked around today. For all the stats on the past 24 hours (including wind gusts to 190km/h!) and to see where the main frontal band and winds currently lie, click here.
But we do have a breather period - Thursday should see a significant drop in winds right over the nation as high pressure spreads over much of the country. The high will, in fact, have a number of centres to it, spreading from as far west as Australia to just east of New Zealand. But in true spring style it wont last and another low will spread up the country from the south. On top of that, another low in the Southern Ocean will drive those strong winds back up and over New Zealand.
In fact, this next low (the one in the Southern Ocean) is a massive one and mimics that of a major Atlantic hurricane - but don't stress, unless you're on a boat between Southland and Antarctica it won't be directly hitting you.
The air pressure is expected to be a staggering 936hPa by the weekend creating an almost 100hPa difference between this low in the south and the high over northern New Zealand. (To put that into perspective it's a bit like the difference between a 10km/h wind and 300km/h wind) This really is a massive difference in air pressure which means strong winds will affect eastern areas. Luckily this major low is well south of New Zealand and the worst will definitely miss us.
It's important to note that these Spring storms are big though - and it's this dangerous mix of giant southern lows and large highs in the north that create the windy, stormy, conditions over New Zealand.
By the way, this weekend isn't looking too flash at this stage - certainly wont be a repeat of last weekend's mainly settled, dry, weather. I'll have more details on Friday.
Philip Duncan
Pictured above: Te Apiti Windfarm on Saddle Road near Woodville, Southern Hawkes Bay. The Windfarm consists of 158, 70 metre high turbines with triple blades 35 metres long.
Photo /Warren Buckland
For the latest weather news keep up to date with The Radio Network's new Weather Watch Centre or the NZ Herald weather section.
