Auckland weather: Surface flooding near Harbour Bridge as heavy rain begins

Surface flooding shut down a lane on SH1 north of the Harbour Bridge this afternoon. Photo / Supplied

Waka Kotahi NZTA is warning of surface flooding near Auckland’s Harbour Bridge as rain begins to pour down on the Super City this afternoon.

The left northbound lane on the north side of the Harbour Bridge had been forced to shut down due to the flooding, the transport agency said.

The lanes are now cleared, however, traffic is still slow-moving.

UPDATE - 4:10PM
This has been cleared of lanes.^HJ https://t.co/IbwL786Ve7

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) June 26, 2023

At 2pm today, MetService warned a band of rain from the East coast was moving across towards Auckland, which is responsible for the heavy downpours across Auckland.

“Grab your umbrellas or head inside,” MetService warned on social media.

On its website, MetService forecast the showers will be heavy and possibly thunder this evening.

Later in the week, on Thursday and Friday, Auckland may see severe gale-force winds as a fresh weather system tracks through, along with rain on the west coast.

2pm Rain update 🌧

Heads up Auckland and New Plymouth, the band of rain is fast approaching! It should be over you in the next hour.

Grab your umbrellas, or head inside ☔ https://t.co/prKU7NLNY1 pic.twitter.com/IXtLCtb2j4

— MetService (@MetService) June 26, 2023