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Gusts of more than 100 km / h were felt on both the northern and southern islands when a stormy front swept through New Zealand this weekend.
While the strongest gusts of wind were felt Sunday, MetService forecaster Paul Ngamanu said the front will bring a drop in temperatures, making for a chilly start to the week.
Areas that withstood the brunt of the high winds included Fiordland with gusts of 155km / h.
METSERVICE
MetService’s highest observed wind gusts on Sunday.
Wellington also saw winds of up to 135km / h and gusts at Manukau Heads in Auckland reached 130km / h.
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There were several reports of downed trees in the Wellington region overnight from Saturday to Sunday.
“The winds will start to drop overnight,” Ngamanu said, “but as they subside, the country will see a drop in temperatures.”
The South Island could expect to feel cooler temperatures overnight and Monday morning, while the coldest days for the North Island were expected on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Snowfall warnings were in effect for several roads on the South Island and a heavy snow watch for Fiordland, Clutha, downtown Otago and Southland overnight and Monday morning.
Nelson, west of Motueka, Buller and Westland north of Arthur’s Pass were also under heavy snow watch from Monday night through Tuesday morning.
Snow would also be possible on the North Island, Ngamanu said, in the hills around Welllington and on Desert Rd.
In Auckland, the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency urged motorists to exercise caution when crossing the damaged Harbor Bridge on Monday and Tuesday as wind gusts of 80km / h were forecast.
The city experienced a comfortable high of 20 degrees Celsius on Sunday, but Ngamanu said the maximum on Wednesday would be just 14 degrees Celsius.
The end of the week seemed calmer, Ngamanu said, with the weather improving on Thursday.
