Strong winds are affecting flights at Dunedin Airport this afternoon, and MetService has a strong wind watch in place for much of Otago.
The airport has advised that owing to "strong cross winds'' Air New Zealand flight 5749 was unable to land and the aircraft returned to Christchurch.
Scheduled departing flights NZ5750 and NZ5752 have been cancelled.
The airport advises affected people to contact their airlines.
MetService says northwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places in the region, apart from the Clutha District.
The forecaster also has issued a heavy rain warning for the headwaters of Otago's lakes and rivers today, and says periods of heavy rain are expected for the rest of the week.
