MetService has lifted numerous weather warnings this afternoon as conditions start to ease across the country.

As predicted by WeatherWatch.co.nz forecasters yesterday, today’s stormy weather was always going to be short lived with better weather moving in tomorrow for campers and holidaymakers.

Hurricane force winds buffeted the hills around Wellington this morning, while gusts over 125km/h roared through Wellington city, Auckland’s Manukau Heads and exposed parts of Marlborough.

Strong winds continue to blast across eastern parts of the North Island though with gusts between 70 and 90km/h across Gisborne and Hawkes Bay.

Gusts around 90km/h are affecting Palmerston North, Paraparaumu and Wellington this hour while gale force westerlies are now moving into Kaikoura.

Mt Kaukau is still recording gusts of 125km/h, down from 172km/h this morning.

A cold southerly change is moving up the South Island too dropping temperatures in its wake.  Christchurch is now just 13 degrees while Kaikoura has a warm westerly and 23.

Dunedin has 12 while Wanaka and Lumsden share only 10 degrees.

Hottest place is Napier this hour on 29 degrees.