Heavy rain and wild winds plague much of New Zealand, urging commuters from Auckland to postpone their trip this morning to avoid the worst of the storm.
Niwa has warned that rain could fall for a month in parts of the North Island and in the northern and eastern parts of the South Island.
A deep low and accompanying rain front moves across the North Island and encompasses the entire country.
Severe weather warnings have been issued for most of the North Island and much of the South.
Waka Kotahi is closely monitoring the weather and warning of possible closures to Auckland’s Harbor Bridge.
MetService has issued a strong wind warning for Auckland from 2am to 9am today, with gusts of up to 110km/h set to hit during the morning rush hour.
Waka Kotahi is warning motorists in Auckland to avoid using the Harbor Bridge during this time as wind speeds could exceed the safe use threshold and lead to multiple closures.
“Drivers are urged to plan ahead as the predicted closures could coincide with rush hour traffic.”
High-level vehicle drivers and motorcyclists are encouraged to avoid the bridge while wind warnings are in effect and to use the western ring road on State Highways 16 and 18.
Auckland Transport warned of disruptions to bus services on the North Express and on services from Glenfield, Beach Haven and Takapuna.
Ferry passengers are also told to expect possible disruptions and are asked to postpone their journey if possible.
“On windy and choppy days like tomorrow… our ferry companies often cancel trips or replace them with the road, depending on the conditions.
The harsh weather is the result of a deep low moving through New Zealand, with associated fronts driving the conditions.
Between Coromandel and Bay of Plenty, people can expect winds approaching gale force and up to 110mm of rain, sometimes reaching speeds of 15mm per hour.
Floods are likely in many parts of the Waikato region. This is due to the heavy rainfall on already saturated catchments.
River flooding along low-lying coastal areas can also worsen during high tides off all coasts of the Waikato region. The regional council has asked residents to remain vigilant for local flooding and slippage caused by high river and stream levels.
The winter blast is attributed to an “atmospheric river” meandering through the country. These long, thin filaments of atmospheric moisture can carry double the average flow of the Amazon River – or 200 times that of our largest river, the Clutha/Mata Au.
Gisborne to Hawke’s Bay can also expect similar conditions, with heavy rain. And at the bottom of the North Island, Wellington will experience gale-force winds until at least Wednesday morning.
The west coast of the top of the South Island is also expected to experience high winds. They are expected to rise to a 140 km/h storm.
The Tararua Ranges will be drenched in heavy rainfall and the Cook Strait, Nelson and Marlborough counties will experience rain and wind.
The high country of Canterbury is under heavy snow and rain watch, with heavy rain expected to turn into snow above 400m.
Central Otago and the Lakes district can expect similar conditions.
Between Tuesday and Wednesday there are heavy snow guards on several roads. These are: Lindis Pass, the Crown Ranges, Arthur’s Pass, Porter’s Pass and the Dunedin and Waitati Highway.
MetService Forecaster Aidan Pyselman said the system will likely move to the east of the South Island tomorrow. He said it would clear up mainly around the North Island, but there would be another low Friday morning from the north.