Wind gusts of 130kmh have ripped through Foveaux Straight today and severe weather watches remain in place in parts of the South Island.
MetService yesterday issued a severe weather watch for Otago and Southland, with gales forecast for Dunedin today, as well as Clutha and southern parts of Southland.
A strong southwest flow through the lower South Island, caused by a high moving in through the Tasman Sea, had caused windy and rainy weather throughout the country, MetService meteorologist Peter Little said.
"The worst of [the weather] is in that southern area in terms of the wind, and over the remainder of the country it's still quite showery, particularly in northern places like Auckland."
However, the next few days should give people a break from the rain.
Forecasters are also predicting colder temeratures, with the high winds adding to the wind chill.
In Dunedin and Clutha, gale-force southwesterlies were expected to develop about midday, and severe gales could occur until late this afternoon before easing in the evening, MetService said.
- additional reporting NZME.
