It was one of the regions that didn’t receive official wind warnings but Auckland hasn’t been spared gale force winds caused by a spring storm tearing across the country today.

In the early hours of this morning winds quickly rose to gale force and since then they have continued to strengthen.   Around the Manukau Heads, west of Auckland Airport, gusts reached near 130km/h with gusts to 100km/h around Auckland’s city centre this afrernoon.

WeatherWatch.co.nz estimates gusts are probably reaching over 120km/h within the CBD caused by the wind tunnel effect of high rise buildings.

NZHerald.co.nz is reporting the gales have caused the closure of a central city street after strong winds worked a pane of glass loose.   Police have cordoned off part of Swanson St.

But the gales are on the way out – and for the rest of the week in Auckland.  A large high will spread down from the north tonight pushing the strong winds south of the city. 

Mostly light winds should set in as the week progresses although it’s possible they may pick up a little for a time over the next couple of days – but nothing compared to today.