Warnings as huge swells to batter Wellington's south coast this morning

The Wellington Region Emergency Management Office is urging residents on the coast to have an up-to-date household plan. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Wellingtonians are set to awake to another day of giant seas and swells the size of houses hitting their coastline.

A heavy swell warning has been issued for Wellington's southern coast which will last until 11pm tonight.

MetService says the highest risk will come around high-tide today, which is at 11.45am in the capital.

MetService is urging coastal residents to take extra care as swells will be "rapidly picking up" from the start of day.

The swells - which may be more than 5 metres - could hang around the Wellington coast until 8pm tonight.

The mountainous seas out of Cook Strait of up to 4.5m high were projected to hit between Baring Head to Sinclair Head overnight.

The Wellington Region Emergency Management Office is urging residents on the coast to have an up-to-date household plan.

Heads up Swellington🌊

Swells along the south coast of the capital rapidly pick up tomorrow, where there's a Heavy Swell Warning from morning. With high tide around late morning, remember to take extra care as this will be the highest risk period https://t.co/qHyE5zhh6X ^MM pic.twitter.com/3rVI7bYEt2

— MetService (@MetService) November 21, 2020

A strong wind watch was in place in the Wellington region yesterday as northwest winds approached severe gales in exposed places at times.

Motorists were also being warned to take care on the region's highways with the high winds expected to be hazardous.

Strong southerly winds are however set to ease this evening in the capital.

Yesterday, fierce winds in southernmost districts toppled trees on to powerlines leaving settlements without power.

Damaging gusts up to 120km/h were forecast in Dunedin yesterday and a frightening 130km/h in exposed parts of South Otago until yesterday evening.

Powernet said electricity was out in Dacre and Woodlands due to falling trees. It was also investigating a number of other outages across the region.

Windy as!@WeatherWatchNZ @StormHour pic.twitter.com/6YohbsbwTL

— Dan Baily (@bailynz) November 21, 2020

HEAVY SWELL WARNING - Baring Head to Sinclair Head
MetService has issued a SWELL WARNING for Baring Head to Sinclair Head for this SUNDAY 22 November. This is a good reminder to check you have an up to date household plan.
The WREMO Duty Team

— Wellington Region Emergency Management Office (@WREMOinfo) November 20, 2020