Severe winds forecast for South Island and lower North Island

The election day forecast is for strong winds for much of the South Island and the lower North Island.

MetService has issued strong wind warnings for Wellington and Wairarapa in the north and Canterbury and Marlborough in the south, with strong wind watches out for much of the lower South Island.

Severe gale northwesterlies gusting 120km/h in exposed places were expected in parts of Canterbury and Banks Peninsula, driven by a low over the Tasman Sea.

Damaging gusts of more than 140km/h could bring down trees, powerlines and unsecured structures late Saturday morning.

Up to 150 millimetres of rain was expected to hit Westland, south of Otira, and the Canterbury headwaters south of Arthur's Pass.

Orange wind warnings

• Wellington and Wairarapa south of Carterton 6am - 6pm Saturday
• Marlborough 3am - 5pm Saturday
• Canterbury High Country midnight Friday - 4pm Saturday
• Canterbury Plains, and Christchurch including Banks Peninsula 4am - 4pm Saturday

Orange heavy rain warnings are also in place for Westland, South of Otira, and for the headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers south of Arthur's Pass until 3pm.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/500133/severe-winds-forecast-for-south-island-and-lower-north-island