An Auckland motorway has flooded as a band of torrential rain batters the top half of the North Island.
It's been a wet, blustery morning for Auckland, with motorists warned to watch out for hazardous driving conditions as strong winds, heavy rain and thunderstorms are forecast for the city.
By mid-morning flooding on State Highway 1 near the East Tamaki off-ramp had forced the closure of the northbound lane, and motorists were being urged to expect delays and drive carefully.
SH1 SOUTHERN MWY - 10:55AM
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) May 29, 2022
Due to flooding near the #SH1 East Tamaki Rd off-ramp, the left northbound lane is blocked. Please slow down through the area and drive with care. Expect delays. ^MF pic.twitter.com/HMvL1JOeLy
The wild weather has caused a Waiheke ferry cancellation, leaving 10am commuters stranded.
MetService meteorologist Luis Fernandes told the Herald the Harbour Bridge saw gusts of up to 80km/h in the early hours of the morning, and the rest of Auckland should batten down the hatches as the wild weather continues.
"For the rest of the morning, the next few hours at least Auckland is going to stay very wet with persistent, continuous rain - there's going to be no point today when we can say 'oh it's clearing up'."
Risk of downpours 🌧
— MetService (@MetService) May 29, 2022
Parts of Northland have seen hourly accumulations of rain between 20-40mm this morning.
The intense rain is moving southwards.
Heavy Rain and Strong Wind severe weather forecasts are currently being updated.
All details here: https://t.co/qHyE5zhh6X pic.twitter.com/cv0SNkH7Wk
Fernandes says overnight some exposed areas in Northland had wind gusts over 100km/h, and just under 60mm of rain fell in Kerikeri in the hours from midday yesterday.
The weather is expected to move across the country throughout the day, and Thames Civil Defence controller Garry Towler is urging people to be cautious.
"We still have a lot of rain in the forecast today for both sides of the Coromandel, so keep vigilant, especially on the roads as surface flooding and slips are likely."
MetService says a severe weather warning is in place from 6pm last night through to 9am today.
Risk of downpours 🌧
— MetService (@MetService) May 29, 2022
Parts of Northland have seen hourly accumulations of rain between 20-40mm this morning.
The intense rain is moving southwards.
Heavy Rain and Strong Wind severe weather forecasts are currently being updated.
All details here: https://t.co/qHyE5zhh6X pic.twitter.com/cv0SNkH7Wk
A heavy burst of rain hit Auckland soon after 5.30am today, causing surface flooding in some CBD streets.
Wet & windy up north to start off the workweek with good rain already having fallen overnight. Thunderstorms are possible for the rest of the day for the upper North Island while Bay of Plenty remains under an Orange Heavy Rain Warning - details at https://t.co/qHyE5zzql5 pic.twitter.com/Y5uNaZ5R65
— MetService (@MetService) May 29, 2022
"We are expecting heavy rain from [Monday] morning to around 3pm tomorrow afternoon, with that there could be some thunderstorms and localised downpours also," MetService said.
"Behind that front, the rain turns to showers but they could still be pretty sharp. There is a watch for strong wind from tonight until tomorrow morning."
SH1 NORTHERN MWY - 7:10AM
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) May 29, 2022
Due to a crash, the right southbound lane adjacent to the #SH1 Tristram Ave on-ramp is blocked. Pass the scene with care and be prepared for some delays. ^MF pic.twitter.com/fOoJ54N8jR
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport agency said that winds of up to 85km/h could see lanes on the Auckland Harbour Bridge required to close.
Maintenance crews are ready to close lanes if wind gusts exceed the safe use thresholds.
Due to bad weather, the following Gulf Harbour ferry services have been replaced by bus.
— Auckland Transport Travel Alerts (@AT_TravelAlerts) May 29, 2022
Monday 30 May 2022:
Gulf Harbour - Auckland 830am
Gulf Harbour - Auckland 1130am
Auckland - Gulf Harbour 1030am
^WC pic.twitter.com/gPXkJwKISU
Motorcyclists and drivers in high-sided vehicles should avoid the Harbour Bridge and use the Western Ring on State Highways 16 and 18.
Earlier, heavy rain warnings were issued for other parts of the country including the Far North and Gisborne.
- Additional reporting: RNZ