A strong wind watch is in place across parts of Central tonight, with gusts already starting to intensify.

MetService has issued the wind watch for 11 hours from now until 3am tomorrow morning, but have noted there is a low chance of it upgrading to a warning.

A wind watch is also in place for Fiordland, Southland northwest of Riversdale, and Queenstown Lakes District.

The wind watch in place for Central will also affect many other parts of the South Island overnight. IMAGE: MetService

Alexandra had a settled day with a high of 17 degrees Celsius, making it one of the warmest days of, what is still officially, winter.

However, that temperature will make way to a balmy overnight low of 7C, along with gusts of about 100km/h.

MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said as we approach the windiest part of the year, breezy westerlies will be a noticeable feature, particularly in the South Island.

"It’s a good time to secure any loose items, so they don’t end up in the neighbour's yard," she said.

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