MetService has issued red strong wind warnings for Marlborough from Cape Campbell south, including the Kaikōura Coast.
Red warnings have already been issued for the Canterbury High Country, Christchurch and the Canterbury Plains and Wellington and Wairarapa south of Carterton.
The warning for Marlborough is from 6am to 4pm on Thursday, with severe gale northwesterlies with damaging gusts up to 140kmh now forecast in exposed places.
Marlborough Emergency Management Regional Controller Richard McNamara said: "The wind forecast which has led to this Red Warning is a lot stronger than what we would normally see so people should be taking this seriously.
"The Strong Wind Warning - Orange remains in place for the rest of Marlborough, and this also needs to be taken seriously. We are talking about gusts up to 130 km/hr for an Orange Warning which is right at the threshold for upgrading to Red for Marlborough as well. This is still a damaging wind."
People have been asked to avoid any unnecessary travel.
The wind upgrade comes as the Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell declared a state of local emergency for the Canterbury region.
He signed the declaration in response to the severe weather forecast because Canterbury's mayors are yet to be sworn in.
The state of local emergency will ensure local Civil Defence have access to the emergency powers needed to respond and support emergency services.
Fire crews are trying to get a handful of large fires put out in Kaikōura before wind that's been hitting large parts of the country pick up again.
Multiple fires fanned by fierce winds destroyed 14 buildings on Tuesday, including five homes. Meanwhile, many other households may have to spend another night without power.
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