Strong winds are set to hit parts of the country over the weekend, with MetService issuing a string of weather warnings and watches.

An orange-level strong wind warning has been issued for Auckland, Great Barrier Island, and the Coromandel Peninsula for Sunday afternoon, with several southwesterly gales forecast to gust up to 120km/h in exposed areas.

MetService warned that these conditions could bring down trees and power lines and may make driving conditions difficult for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.

Strong wind watches were also issued for Northland and Waikato on Sunday, for Hawkes Bay south of Hastings and the Tararua District, and Southland south of about Gore, Clutha and Dunedin on Monday.

MetService said squally thunderstorms and showers were possible at the top of the country, bringing the risk of some locally heavy bursts of rain and strong gusts of wind for Sunday.

Several road snowfall warnings have also been issued, with rain expected to turn to snow on the Crown Range Road and Lindis Pass Saturday afternoon.

Auckland Emergency Management said the “very windy weather” forecast could cause damage and disruption, particularly when the ground was wet and trees became unstable.

It urged residents to bring in or tie down loose items, clear branches or debris that could became dangerous in strong winds, and to check the household emergency plan and supplies including torches and spare batteries.

Full list of weather warnings and watches

Orange Strong Wind Warning

Auckland, Great Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula – 9 hours from 3pm to midnight Sunday

Strong Wind Watch

Northland – 8 hours from 1pm to 9pm Sunday

Waikato north of Hamilton – 9 hours from 3pm to midnight Sunday

Hawke’s Bay south of Hastings and the Tararua District – 10 hours from 12pm to 10pm Monday

Southland south of about Gore, Clutha and Dunedin – 8 hours from 10am to 6pm Monday

Road Snowfall Warning

Crown Range Road – 11 hours from 5pm Saturday to 4am Sunday

Lindis Pass (SH8) – 11 hours from 6pm Saturday to 5am Sunday

Milford Road (SH94) – 14 hours from 10am to midnight Saturday