Snow blankets the Crown Range road as a wintry blast moves through the country. Video / George Heard
Western regions of New Zealand have been zapped by nearly 20,000 lightning strikes in the past 24 hours.
Many areas are experiencing a second day of stormy weather, with snow falling in the south and rain now sweeping over the top of the country after early morning electrical storms saw hail larger than grapes pummel the West Coast.
Western areas of the North and South Island are expected to bear the brunt of the poor weather today, with a number of MetService-issued warnings in force - and along with it, heavy winds and seas.
A fresh suite of 32 weather alerts have been issued this morning that stretch into the weekend from the southernmost regions to just south of Auckland.
Virtually the entire South Island is under some form of weather warning, with potentially damaging heavy snow in the deep south, electrical storms on the West Coast to gale force winds in the east.
More snow down to sea level is expected to fall in the deep south in coming days. Photo / George Heard
Snow warnings have been upgraded in Fiordland while snow is expected to fall to sea level in parts of Southland.
Strong winds reaching gale force at times is expected to lash eastern regions of both islands.
Severe Weather is expected to affect much of the country in the coming days, with some regions likely to experience heavy rain, severe gales, heavy snow and severe thunderstorms https://t.co/qHyE5zhh6X ^PL pic.twitter.com/nxKeSj6A8w
Wellington's western coastline remains under a heavy swell warning with waves expected to reach 5m, posing a risk of flooding to seaboard properties and roads.
A fresh severe thunderstorm watch is now in force for Waikato, Waitomo and Taumarunui as electrical storms move west over the centre of the North Island this morning.
Snow is falling on alpine regions, with State Highway 73 from Springfield to Arthurs Pass closed due to snow and Castle Hill residents cut off.
This morning, road workers were putting grit on the Crown Range Rd to make it passable though vehicles must carry chains.
Temperatures at the bottom of the country are not expected to move out of single digits today, with more snow forecast to fall overnight.
Workers put grit on the Crown Range Rd in Queenstown after overnight snow. Photo / George Heard
Weatherwatch.co.nz said hail the size of grapes had fallen in on the West Coast this morning as an active cold front moved into the western flank of the country laced with scattered thunderstorms and squalls.
MetService has since lifted all severe thunderstorm warnings for the Wellington region and top of the South Island just before 8am after a line of thunderstorms were detected before dawn.
At 7.15am the forecaster issued a severe thunderstorm alert saying thunder and lightning was due to lash Horowhenua, Manawatū, and move across the ranges into parts of Wairarapa in the coming hour.
The forecaster warned the electrical storm was expected to be accompanied by very heavy rain, damaging wind gusts, possible tornadoes and hail.
— MetService Severe Weather Info (@MetServiceWARN) June 9, 2022
Earlier it issued a similar warning for Kāpiti, saying it expected the bad weather to track near Ōtaki, Paraparaumu, Waikanae, Paekakariki, Kāpiti Island, the Southern Tararua Ranges and Te Horo about 6am.
— MetService Severe Weather Info (@MetServiceWARN) June 9, 2022
People should take care if they are driving, get back to land if on the water and shelter indoors, if possible.
Auckland Harbour Bridge lane restrictions
People who use the Auckland Harbour Bridge are being advised that the bridge will operate four lanes in each direction this morning in anticipation of predicted strong wind gusts from 9am to 8pm.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency issued the reminder on its social media channels this morning, after an earlier notice was posted yesterday.
REMINDER - 6:15AM FRI, 10 JUN The Harbour Bridge will provide 4 lanes in each direction this morning in anticipation of predicted strong wind gusts from 9am to 8pm today. Please take extra care. ^TP https://t.co/BpNvwHCYIy
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) June 9, 2022
Motorists are told to plan ahead; as speed reductions and lane closures are said to be "likely" between that time period.
"Caution is advised, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles. Allow extra time," road authorities said.
A breakdown in a northbound lane on the bridge briefly blocked a left lane during morning rush hour before the vehicle was cleared.
It came as Niwa issued a warning of wet weather hitting the city.
Meanwhile, a severe thunderstorm watch remains in force for Nelson, Buller, Taranaki, Manawatū, Kāpiti-Horowhenua, Wellington and Marlborough.
The unsettled, messy weather is also expected to continue throughout the weekend for many New Zealand regions, as a series of fronts moves up the country.
A tornado damaged homes and uprooted two pine trees, sending them - spear-like -through the roof of a car parts business in Waikanae, north of Wellington yesterday.
A lightning storm near Greymouth. Photo / Bryn Preston
MetService forecaster Aidan Pyselman said there was the potential for thunderstorms for western parts of both islands today. "It's a really active situation we've got at the moment, very unsettled."
Bad weather is expected in these areas on Saturday and Sunday as well.
There are a number of weather warnings in force for the lower North Island and Wellington regions. "The lower North Island is looking pretty wild with strong winds," Pyselman said.
In Wellington, Wairarapa - south of Featherston - and the Marlborough Sounds, severe gales reaching 120km/h are possible this morning as well as later today.
Northwest winds could also reach gale-force strength from Saturday to Monday in exposed places.
Two giant Norfolk Pines spear the roof of ACS Ltd autoparts workshop after a tornado whipped through Waikanae on Thursday. Photo / Mark Mitchell
An early-morning warning of possible thunderstorms has also been issued for Waitomo, Taranaki, Manawatū, Kāpiti-Horowhenua, Wellington, Marlborough from 3am to 8am.
In addition, a 48-hour swell warning has been issued until midnight Saturday for the Kāpiti-Porirua coast from Ōtaki to Cape Terawhiti.
Waves could reach 4-5m early this morning, before easing to three-3.5 metres this afternoon.
The Wellington Region Emergency Management Office told residents in Porirua and Kāpiti yesterday to prepare for high seas until midnight tonight.
Manager Jeremy Holmes said there was potential for more wave run-up and flooding, with coastal residents facing instances of coastal erosion, scouring, surface flooding and deposits of driftwood, seaweed, sand and gravel.
"We urge residents in affected areas to start thinking about ways to reduce impacts of swells on their property, such as using sandbags or barriers and moving things off their front lawn and driveway."
More wet, unsettled weather and possibly severe thunderstorms are forecast for large parts of the country. Photo / Michael Craig
For Nelson, Buller and Westland, severe thunderstorms are possible until about 8am, while heavy rain is expected in Westland and Buller from late morning.
Meanwhile, snow has been forecast to below about 300-400m across the lower South Island on Saturday and Sunday. Significant snowfall was expected in areas above 500m.
Snow covers the Lindis Pass in the South Island. Photo / NZTA
MetService said snow was expected to affect many higher roads and passes, and paired with strong winds and low temperatures, could stress livestock.
