Weather: Wet and wild forecast to continue

Auckland can expect some fine spells tomorrow, but today the skies opened. Photo / Dean Purcell

New Zealand is facing a wet and wild start to the week.

A large low pressure system is currently engulfing most of the nation, with heavy downpours and gales in the north.

MetService has issued a severe weather warning for the central and upper North Island, for heavy rain and the possibility of severe west to northwest gales.

Aucklanders in particular have been battling the downpours and strong winds.

MetService reported winds gusting at 150km/h in Manukau Heads and 85km/h on the Harbour Bridge.

Showers are expected to gradually ease this afternoon.

West Auckland felt the wrath of the downpours and strong winds this morning, with trampolines sent flying and trees ripped out from their roots.

A Fire Service spokesman said West Auckland had "really got the brunt" of the westerly winds.

Firefighters had been called out to about half a dozen weather-related incidents this morning.

They received two call outs to retrieve trampolines stuck on roofs.

Vector said about 210 properties were without power.

A power outage in Titirangi affected around 180 properties but power is expected to be restored to the area at 6.30pm.

There is also a power outage on Okura River Rd and Warman Rd in Okura, with around 30 properties affected. The outage was reported at 4.27pm and is expected to be restored at 7pm.

Earlier, a spokesman said most of this morning's outages across the Auckland region had been resolved.

Fewer than 1200 houses had been without power in Greenhithe this morning, and around 500 houses in Coatsville.

About 900 houses in Titirangi was also without power- the outage caused by a tree that had fallen on a power line.

Tomorrow Auckland can expect fine spells, with the odd shower clearing in the afternoon. Westerlies are expected to die out.