A fallen tree in Auckland's Māngere Bridge. Photo: SUPPLIED
Winter has wrapped up with some of the harshest winds ever recorded in August, downing trees and powerlines throughout Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty.
The strong winds have moved south with a strong wind warning in place for Stewart Island on Monday, and several watches issued by MetService.
"The start of meteorological spring brings calmer, more settled conditions to the North Island, with mostly light showers and plenty of sunshine in the east. In contrast, the South Island woke to cloudier skies and showers, some heavy with thunderstorms and gusts up to 90 km/h on the West Coast, as a cold front moved up the island," MetService said.
"That front will sweep quickly up the country, followed by a second front that will prolong rain and snowfall in the South Island. Cooler southerlies trailing behind will drop overnight lows, leading to widespread frosts."
Firefighters were kept busy overnight, attending more than 100 weather-related call-outs as the North Island was battered by strong wind gusts and heavy rain.
Fire and Emergency shift manager Josh Pennefather said between 5pm and 5am there were 114 call-outs in Auckland, 29 in Waikato, three in Northland and nine in Bay of Plenty.
There had been no injuries reported.
Most were for loose roofing iron, uplifted trampolines or toppled powerlines and trees, and he urged people to keep clear of downed lines and report them immediately to their electricity provider.
A tree had fallen onto the roof of a home in West Auckland's Massey overnight. Photo: Blessen Tom / RNZ
In Auckland, Pennefather said a tree fell onto a house in Onehunga, and a trampoline flew onto a neighbour's roof in Papakura.
Trees had hit powerlines in several areas across the city and a trampoline also fell onto powerlines in Onewhero.
According to the Vector website power was still out in small patches across Auckland.
Vector said there were scattered outages across the city and its crews were continuing to work to restore power.
It was unable to provide any figures on the number of homes affected.
Meanwhile, NZTA confirmed there were currently no restrictions across the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
Strong winds continue and move south
Strong winds were also forecast for parts of the lower South Island on Monday.
An orange strong wind warning has been issued for Stewart Island until 6pm on Monday.
A weather watch was in place for Dunedin, Clutha, Southland south of Gore and Stewart Island from 12pm through to 6pm.
West to southwest winds could become more powerful in exposed areas, MetService said.
It said there was a moderate chance it could be upgraded to a weather warning.
A strong wind watch was in place from 12pm on Monday until 12am in Hawke's Bay south of Hastings, and the Tararua District.
MetService said there was a high chance this would be upgraded to a weather warning.
There were snowfall warnings for the South Island's Crown Range Rd and Milford Rd (SH94) through until midday and 2pm.
About 1cm of snow could settle on the Crown Range Rd on Monday morning, MetService said and periods of snow were expected to fall on Milford Rd.
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