Wild 150km winds prompt 'threat to life' warnings in Wellington and around New ZealandTopic:Storms40m ago40 minutes agoThu 1 May 2025 at 3:44amThe ocean around Eastbourne, NZ has been hit hard by big waves. (Radio NZ: Clio Francis)In short:Wellington is currently being hit by gales as strong as 150kph as threats to life and property warnings are in place.The severe low pressure system has prompted a rare red weather warning to be issued for New Zealand's capital.What's next?The vicious southerlies are predicted to pick up through the day, subsiding later on Thursday evening, local time.abc.net.au/news/wellington-new-zealand-hit-by-big-winds/105238788Link copiedShareShare articleGales as strong of 150 kilometres per hour are hitting Wellington and threats to life and property warnings are in place across the region.The severe low pressure system has prompted a rare red weather warning to be issued for New Zealand's capital.Across the North Island and upper South Island there are 21 warnings and watches in place.Wellington's south coast on Thursday morning. (Radio NZ: Samuel Rillstone)In Christchurch, the Avon River has burst its banks near the CBD, while further south, a state of emergency has been issued in south Canterbury district of Selwyn, with limited evacuations and flooding prompting the closure of schools.The biggest threat is in the capital, where the MetService is warning of threats to life and property, urging people in exposed areas and on the south coast to stay home."Threat to life from flying items and falling trees. Destructive winds will cause widespread damage including powerlines and roofs, with dangerous driving conditions and significant disruption to transport and power supply," the MetService warning states."Stay indoors or seek shelter, avoid travel. Be ready for power and communication outages."Loading Twitter contentAir New Zealand and Jetstar have cancelled the majority of their flights in and out of Wellington for the remainder of the day. Air New Zealand may restart flights at 6pm, local time."Current conditions are expected to continue impacting our network throughout the day, so we encourage customers travelling to check the Air New Zealand app or the arrivals and departures page on our website for the latest updates," Air New Zealand chief operating officer Alex Marren said.It is the first red weather warning issued in New Zealand since flooding in Dunedin in October 2024, and a first red warning for wind in Wellington since the system's introduction 2019."Wellington is no stranger to high winds but even by our standards this is an extraordinary day in the capital," MetService meteorologist John Law told AAP.Mr Law said the "combination of wind direction, a strong southerly, and rainfall and higher tides" has prompted the warning escalation.Wellington Water flooding crews have been hard at work. (Radio NZ: Reece Baker)The highest gust was recorded at Mount Kaukau, an exposed point in the city's north, at 150kph, with the airport on the south coast registering 115kph.The vicious southerlies are predicted to pick up through the day, subsiding later on Thursday — though swells are expected to stay large.Cook Strait ferry operators have also cancelled sailings through to Friday at the earliest.The huge storm has also brought the first major snowfall for the season further south, with news outlet Stuff publishing pictures of a thick snow blanketing the inland town of Tekapo.AAPPosted 40m ago40 minutes agoThu 1 May 2025 at 3:44amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesDutton hints at Coalition campaign failure as polls show Albanese majority in sightTopic:Government and PoliticsPhoto shows Peter Dutton election shadowsJacinta Nampijinpa Price contradicts Peter Dutton, asserting Coalition will end school 'indoctrination'Topic:Public SchoolsPhoto shows Jacinta Price speaks while Dutton stands behind her listening. 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