The south west change behind yesterday’s damaging nor’westers is currently blasting through coastal Canterbury with gales gusting to 90km/h around Christchurch region.  Winds have eased somewhat in Dunedin after a rough Sunday afternoon and overnight.

Wellington has gusts to about 70km/h now that the southerly has arrived – it may increase a little more this morning just as the final gasp of this this system comes through.

Further north and gusty conditions will push through Wairarapa and Hawkes Bay today – but ease by evening.

But it’s not over yet – once this system clears the country another one is hot on its heels…and hot may be the key word.

Tonight strong to gale force winds return to inland and southern parts of the South Island – and kicks off a week long windy westerly which will see blustery conditions mainly from the lower North Isand southwards, plus some high temperatures in the east.  Highs closer to 30 degrees than 20 degrees are possible in some eastern areas this week thanks to the windy westerlies.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz