Gale Westerlies, Cool Sunshine: Dunedin Buffeted by Brisk Spring Bite

Dunedin is seeing a mix of sun and scudding cloud today, but the real headline is the wind. It’s 11°C in the city, feeling closer to 9°C thanks to strong westerlies near 19 m/s (around 70 km/h). Humidity sits at a comfortable 59%, barometric pressure is low at 996 hPa, and the UV index is near-zero.

The gusty westerly flow is classic spring fare for Otago, and it’ll be most keenly felt in exposed coastal areas and the hill suburbs. Expect a notable wind chill, choppy conditions along the coast and harbour, and some buffeting on open roads—cyclists, motorcyclists, and drivers of high-sided vehicles should take extra care. Secure light outdoor items and plan on a windproof layer if you’re out and about.

With the UV index at 0, sunburn risk is minimal, so this is a day for sheltered walks rather than sunbathing. The low pressure hints at a lively, changeable pattern, but for now Dunedin gets bright spells between bursts of bluster—typical spring energy with a crisp edge.