Centre of storm currently brushing Whangarei - 8.00pm

[JennyLeez]

As at 8.00pm ish

WeatherWatch.co.nz says the centre of the storm hammering parts of the North Island tonight is now brushing Whangarei - and the winds are getting stronger.

"The strongest winds are currently wrapped around the centre of this storm, which is tracking to the south west from the north east" says head weather analyst Philip Duncan. "We've had reports of power cuts, wind damage and some frightening wind gusts across Whangarei and Kamo and right across to western Northland this evening". "The eye of the storm, if you like, will cross parts of Northland, south of Whangarei, in the next couple of hours".

Wind may increase for a time in Whangarei before likely easing later this evening.

"The centre of the low then heads into the Auckland region around midnight".

Mr Duncan says Aucklanders can expect the winds to build further in some exposed areas as it moves in but hopefully most residents shouldn't have damaging gusts, with winds expected to ease back before midnight also.

The centre of the low is projected to track over north west Auckland and Helensville between midnight and the early hours of Wednesday.

"Parts of Northland may see the winds ease tonight but they will return tomorrow from the west and be just as strong, if not stronger".

Those same strong to gale westerlies are also likely to return to northern and central Auckland later on Wednesday too.

Coromandel has been hammered by strong winds today and tonight. One positive to report is that the heavy rain eased earlier than expected, but the winds are being reported as "furiously windy" by one WeatherWatch.co.nz reader in Pauanui. Winds around Coromandel won't ease until after midnight and for some will linger until dawn.

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Low finally reaches Auckland.
The centre of the sub-tropical low responsible for power cuts, felling trees and flooding has finally reached the northern Auckland region bang on time says WeatherWatch.co.nz.

Winds ease for some in Auckland, pick up for others

Head weather analyst Philip Duncan says with the low now moving in it means the winds will pick up even more for some suburbs, while others will see winds finally take a step back. "Gales at Auckland Airport have eased in the past hour while gales have developed through other central suburbs. The centre of the low has started to move in to northern areas and the air pressure has stopped falling for some".

As of 11:30pm the air pressure was rising for some areas but still falling in many other parts of Auckland city itself.

Winds were increasing in some populated central areas. This wind increase was due to the wind direction change, which was predicted to happen shortly before midnight. This is another sign the centre of the low has started to finally push in across the region. "We had gale southerlies in the south now we have gale easterlies in the central part of Auckland. By midnight we expect some suburbs to be calmer but as the low moves through the winds will change, easing conditions for some but rising winds for others".

Mr Duncan says the low is now starting to change shape as it moves in. "The centre of the low certainly won't perfectly track over all of Auckland - some will have a blustery night while others will find the winds do ease. We can't get more specific because it will continue to change and shift over the next several hours as the low tracks across the region and winds swing from southerlies, to easterlies to westerlies".

North of Auckland gales caused damage in Whangarei earlier this evening as the centre of the low brushed the city, winds have eased there now.

More damage: While winds are below severe levels for the most part in Auckland City the gusts are powerful enough to be dangerous. We expect more isolated cases of powercuts and trees down while the centre of the low moves through. The air pressure is expected to stop falling across most of Auckland over the next hour.
Weatherwatch

Storm moves over northern regions
 A severe storm is battering the top half of the North Island, with slips cutting off townships as heavy rain, gale winds and tidal surges combine.

On the Coromandel Peninsula, the main township of Thames was isolated after highways both north and south were shut.

Police urged residents to stay indoors as the bad weather has caused slips, toppled trees and knocked over a power pole.

State Highway 25 from Jellicoe Crescent to Maramarahi, south of Thames township, was closed about 9pm, while north of the town, the highway would be closed from Victoria Street North to Coromandel township, police said tonight.

The closures are because of the incoming tide, which reached high tide at 10pm.

"Slips and trees down have also worsened the problems,'' Inspector Kerry Thomas said.

"Thames township and residents further up the highway will not be able to leave or re-enter the area until the tide subsides and damage is repair or removed.''
More:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9201898/Storm-moves-over-northern-regions