Gusts expected to return to Canterbury

Last night's heavy winds in the Canterbury region look set to make a comeback tonight.

Almost 10,000 people were without power last night due to the aggressive winds.

And while half those people got their power back last night, MetService says the wind hasn't gone away.

Spokeswoman Marilyn Avery says gusts up to 130km per hour are expected to hit the Canterbury, Marlborough and Otago regions.

She says while it's died down at the moment, the strong wind is expected to return tonight.

"Expected to strengthen again this evening with severe gales, with gusts 130 km an hour, from this evening until late tomorrow morning."