But MetService meteorologist Liz Walsh said better weather was in store for this weekend.
The strong winds, which prompted severe weather warnings and watches for most of the country today, were expected to ease across the country this evening and overnight.
"The good news is it is actually getting a lot better as we head on into the weekend -- things are receding off to the east of both islands."
Ms Walsh said a big high over the Tasman Sea was slowly moving towards New Zealand, which would bring better weather to the west and later east of the country.
"Then it's gradually getting better over the weekend and the wind's dying away, and you're basically left with clear skies and light winds by Sunday for most places."
Those conditions would be perfect for a frosty start to Sunday morning, especially in inland parts of both islands.
MetService Auckland meteorologist Georgina Griffiths said the city was in for a rough ride this afternoon and evening, with gusts of up to 110km/h expected.
The New Zealand Transport agency has advised road users to take care when crossing the Auckland Harbour Bridge and the Southwestern Motorway's Mangere Bridge.
"For safe travel, people should increase following distances, especially when motorways are more crowded during this afternoon's peak," the agency's highway manager Brett Gliddon said.
Splashes from a king tide at Waitemata Harbour later tonight could affect driving in some areas, he said.
The king tide would hit beaches on the west coast of Auckland overnight, with waves of up to 7m expected about 2am, Ms Griffiths said.
"It will be interesting to see what the beaches look like tomorrow, after a 'wild west' kind of night at Piha and Muriwai," she said.
"However, the west coast can cope with quite a lot -- a lot more than the eastern coast."
Auckland
Cloudy periods tomorrow with a few showers and strong southwesterlies gradually easing. Cloud clearing on Saturday with long fine spells, but some showers in the west. Fine on Sunday with southwesterlies dying away. Highs of up to 15C with lows down to 8C at night.
Hamilton
Fine tomorrow with fresh southwesterlies. Mainly fine on Saturday with some afternoon cloud. Mostly fine on Sunday with perhaps the odd shower. Highs of up to 13C with lows down to 1C at night, so a chance of ground frost.
Wellington
Fine at first tomorrow but cloud, scattered rain and strengthening southerlies in the afternoon. Mainly fine on Saturday with scattered rain about the hills and southerlies dying out. Fine on Sunday with northerlies developing. Highs of up to 12C with lows down to 6C at night.
Christchurch
Cloudy periods tomorrow with scattered showers, mainly over Banks Peninsula, and gusty southerlies. Mainly fine on Saturday and Sunday with southwesterlies dying out. Highs of up to 13C with lows down to -1C at night.
Dunedin
Isolated showers tomorrow, clearing in the evening, with strong southwesterlies until evening. Fine spells on Saturday with a few evening showers. Morning showers then fine on Sunday with a northwesterly developing. Highs of up to 13C with lows down to 3C at night.
(Source: MetService)
