Strong winds have battered parts of Central today, but no weather watches are in place for the district.

MetService meteorologist Clare O’Connor said while there were some strong gusts they were not expected to exceed the threshold that triggers a strong wind watch or warning.

“Although you have some stronger gusts, [including] 75km/h in Wanaka and 55km/h in Alexandra, these are still under the threshold.”

A wind warning would require widespread severe gales with a minimum mean speed of 90km/h or frequent gusts exceeding 110km/h. Widespread means an area of 1000 square kilometres or more.

Clare said the good news was the winds should ease off this evening, making way for another hot and calmer day tomorrow.

Temperatures were also high across parts of the South Island today, with Roxburgh reaching a high of 28.2C. Alexandra was slightly cooler with 26.6C, while Wanaka reached 24.4C.

It has been indicated that northwesterly winds will pick up on Saturday. IMAGE: Supplied

However, it was coastal towns that basked in some of the highest temperatures of the day with Timaru sitting on 32.5C, while Oamaru reached 30.7C and Dunedin 29.2C.

Although people could look forward to a calmer day tomorrow across Central, lower parts of the South Island could get hit with northwesterly winds on Saturday, according to the MetService’s severe weather outlook.

For more weather information click on The Central App’s weather button.