MetService issues wind watch for Wellington as gale-force gusts expected tonight

MetService has issued a wind watch for the Wellington region and the Marlborough Sounds, covering the period from 9 pm Wednesday to 4 am Thursday. Forecasters explained that a cold front advancing up the South Island will be forced through Cook Strait, creating a “squeeze” that can generate gale-force winds, potentially reaching 100 km/h. The strongest winds are forecast for around 9-10 pm, moving from the northern Marlborough Sounds toward Wellington and the Kapiti Coast.

Meteorologists Dom Barry and John Law noted this is the first severe wind watch for the capital in some time, after a relatively quiet spell in September. They advised the public to keep an eye on forecasts, as the watch carries a moderate chance of being upgraded to a warning, and reminded that spring in Wellington often brings volatile weather with occasional gusts exceeding 110 km/h in exposed areas.