Strong winds with gusts up to 140km/h are expected to batter parts of Otago this morning.
MetService issued a severe weather warning for the South Island yesterday, including predictions of heavy rain and strong wind across the country, and forecast northwesterly gales throughout Otago.
Meteorologist Tom Adams said the strongest gales were unlikely to impact those in residential areas in Otago. However, the severe wind warning should not go ignored.
"Winds will vary from suburb to suburb in Dunedin and should be much lighter than in the high country.
"For the average person, yes it will be tame, but that doesn't stop the unlucky person in an isolated place getting a water irrigator blown over or a tree coming down.''
People should tie down trampolines and secure large outdoor objects, he said.
New additions to the Royal Albatross colony at Taiaroa Head could also expect to get "ruffled up'', he said. Severe gales of up to 130kmh could batter the Otago Peninsula and parts of the Lakes District.
The strongest forecast gusts of 140kmh could strike about 600m above sea level in the Lakes District and trampers on the Routeburn Track should prepare for rising headwaters as the gales subsided to rain in the afternoon, Mr Adams said.
Gales were expected to ease throughout the region by mid-afternoon, to be replaced by high cloud and rain.
The northwesterly winds were "foehn wind'', a phenomenon which released latent heat across the area being affected.
Oamaru and Dunedin were expected to reach 28degC today, while Gore, Queenstown and Wanaka would reach 25degC.
