The country has been on the receiving end of some cold, blustery conditions through the day – and this is set to continue as a southwest change makes its way up the country.

There were several watches and warnings out for different parts of the country today, Canterbury, Wairarapa, and the Rimutaka hill all received strong wind warnings, with gusts up to 130 km/h recorded in places.

The southwest change will leave strong winds in its wake, too, with the Tararua District and Central Hawke’s Bay also in the firing line, while Wellington and Marlborough were also buffeted about by gusty conditions.

Southwest gales will advance north tonight, and should start to affect Auckland and the Coromandel Peninsula, along with the Western Bay of Plenty into Saturday.

– Image: Earth.net