Strong winds gusting up to 109kmh have hammered Dunedin overnight but the city appears to have escaped any serious damage.
Tree branches and other debris have been reported on roads and emergency services were called to Shetland St in Wakari just before 8am to a report of a powerline down. However, this proved to be a telephone line.
A MetService spokesman said a low was sitting off the coast of Dunedin and was expected to pass over the South Island about midday today.
The weather pattern caused strong winds overnight, gusting up to 109kmh at Swampy Summit at 1am.
Dunedin Airport recorded gusts up to 75kmh, Taiaroa Head had a mean wind speed of 74kmh and wind in Dunedin City gusted up to 55kmh.
The gales were expected to ease after lunch today.
