The MetService has predicted severe northwest gales in the region, gusting 130 km/h in exposed places, will ease by late evening.
NZTA has put out a strong winds warning for motorists travelling on the Desert Rd. Extra care is advised for high-sided vehicles and motorcyclists until further notice.
The wild weather hit the capital today, after strong winds blasted parts of the South Island last night, with gusts of up to 179km/h in Southland.
The fire service was called to 19 weather-related incidents overnight - which included roofing coming loose, powerlines arcing and falling down and trees falling.
Milford Rd is currently closed due to storm damage.
The severe northwesterly gales hit eastern parts of the South Island last night, according to MetService, with gusts of up to 179km/h hitting Mid Dome, south of Lake Wakatipu.
Gusts reached up to 161km/h at Mt Cook Airport and are hitting 93km/h in Wanaka. In Mt Cook Village, 30mm of rain had been measured between 6am and 7am.
The severe weather was brought to the South Island by a cold front, which is moving up the country, and a warning was issued by MetService for exposed places in eastern areas of the South Island, as well as Fiordland, Wellington, and southern Wairarapa.
Meteorologist Claire Flynn said gusts in the Wairarapa had reached 102km/h.
But it's not all bad news, with warm temperatures hitting eastern parts of the country and a national high in Kaikoura of 26C.
"As we head into Sunday, a ridge of high pressure builds over the country, putting an end to the severe weather. Rain is forecast over most areas of the North Island during Saturday, and is expected to clear from the south from late morning, bringing fine weather to most by Sunday," Ms Flynn said.
Rain is forecast in Auckland tomorrow, with dry weather expected for the Santa Parade on Sunday.
Delays for Queenstown motorists
Queenstown Lakes motorists face delays this morning after strong winds overnight brought trees and debris down on several roads in the area.
The winds have also reportedly led to power outages in many places, including parts of Arrowtown, Dalefield, Frankton, Makarora, Wanaka and West Wanaka.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council says fallen trees have led to the closure of the Glenorchy and Mt Aspiring roads, and no detours are available for either.
On the Glenorchy road, power lines have become entangled in fallen trees, making it hazardous for roading crews to clear. The road is expected to be closed until at least 10am.
The Mt Aspiring road is closed at Glendhu Bay, again because of fallen trees. Heavy equipment is being brought on site to clear the trees but the road is unlikely to reopen for several hours.
Speargrass Flat Rd is closed between the Arrowtown-Lake Hayes Rd and Lower Shotover Rd.
The district council is asking drivers throughout the district to take extreme care as roads are likely to be affected by windblown debris.
- Additional reporting Otago Daily Times
