Campers are being warned to be prepared for strong winds set to strike today

Strong northwesterly winds, expected to be gales in places, are proceeding a front making its way up the country.

There's strong wind warnings in place for Southland, Clutha, Wellington Wairarapa, Tararua and Hawke's Bay south of Hastings.

MetService forecaster Sonja Farmer says its not great news for campers.

She says they'll either have to make provisions for that or just pack up and go home - depending on how sheltered they are.