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Strong winds and rain buffet Evans Bay as gale force weather hits Wellington in September - Source: Reuters -
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Winds gusting over 100 kilometres an hour have been causing havoc in Wellington.
Fire Service spokesman David Meikle says they have dealt with a string of weather-related calls this morning, including to trees and power lines down in several places.
Most flights into and out of the capital were delayed this morning.
Services on regional routes including Nelson and New Plymouth were cancelled.
Do you have any images or video of the weather lashing Wellington? Email them to us at news@tvnz.co.nz
Yesterday morning, around 350 homes in Wellington were without power after wind gusts of up to 130 kilometres an hour brought down power lines.
MetService issued a severe weather warning this morning saying further heavy rain and severe gales were expected in many places as a strong northwest flow covers the country.
The front brought heavy rain and thunderstorms to the West Coast and Southern Alps, including the ranges of Nelson and northern Marlborough this morning.
Further bursts of heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected for these areas through to tomorrow morning.
The system is expected to move onto the North Island this afternoon, bringing heavy rain to western and central areas, especially the Tararua Range, Mount Taranaki and the central North Island high country during the weekend.
Around 100mm of rain is likely in many of these areas, but up to 200 to 300mm is possible about Mount Taranaki and the Tararua Range.
People in all these areas are being advised to look out for rapidly rising rivers and streams, and possible localised surface flooding and slips.
Northwest gales are likely to be severe with gusts of 120 to 140 km/h in exposed parts of Canterbury and Marlborough until this afternoon and in Wellington and Wairarapa and the central North Island through to this evening.
MetService warns Winds of this strength can damage trees and powerlines and make driving hazardous.