Westerly gales for large parts of New Zealand on Friday and Saturday

A cold front should move northwards across the country during Friday and Saturday, bringing showers and very strong westerly winds to many areas.

Strong Wind Watches are in force for several places.

People are advised to keep up to date with the latest forecasts and watches.

Area: Northland

Period: 9hrs from 6am - 3pm Sat, 30 Sep

Forecast: Westerly quarter winds (west to northwest at first, then west to southwest from late Saturday morning) may approach severe gale in exposed places.

Area: Auckland including Great Barrier Island, and Coromandel Peninsula

Period: 20hrs from 4am - midnight Sat, 30 Sep

Forecast: Westerly quarter winds (west to northwest at first, then west to southwest from late Saturday morning) may approach severe gale in exposed places.

Area: Tararua District, and Hawke's Bay south of Hastings

Period: 20hrs from 10am Fri, 29 Sep - 6am Sat, 30 Sep

Forecast: West to northwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.

Area: Canterbury High Country and the ranges of Marlborough south of Ward

Period: 13hrs from 8am - 9pm Fri, 29 Sep

Forecast: Northwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.

Issued: 8:58am Fri, 29 Sep
Next update: 9pm Fri, 29 Sep