Severe gales set to strike

A woman fights with her umbrella during a wet and windy Friday in Auckland City. Photo / NZ Herald

Severe gales are set to strike much the North Island and the upper South Island today, forecasters warn.

The Metservice has issued a severe weather warning for Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula, Taranaki, Wanganui, Manawatu, and Nelson west of Motueka.

It said those areas were expected to be hit by severe westerly winds averaging 70 km/hr and gusting to 120 km/hr this afternoon.

The winds had the potential to lift roofs, cause damage to trees and powerlines and make driving hazardous, it said.

"Winds should ease below severe gale in most places late tonight.

"However, the strong winds are likely to persist in the east of the North Island until around dawn on Thursday."

Gusty northwesterly winds rising to gale force could affect the North Island for several days, the Metservice said.