Frustrated motorists were stuck in heavily congested traffic in Waikato this evening while Easter holidaymakers returning from Northland were told to "expect the unexpected" as wild weather lashed the region.
Waka Kotahi warned congestion and delays would be inevitable today while warning the wet and windy weather in Northland would likely slow commuters down even more.
In Waikato, motorists returning to Auckland reported hours of delays in the Taupiri and Ohinewai areas, and blamed a northbound lane closure for the longer than usual commute.
Kerry Berry was travelling from Te Kowhai to Whenuapai with family members when they hit traffic not long after Taupiri.
The journey usually takes them one hour and a half but on Monday afternoon, it took them around 2.5 hours to travel 10km.
After three hours, they pulled off the motorway at Ohinewai/Tahuna Rd and circled back to Huntly to take a back road that came out at Rangiriri.
Berry said traffic was reduced to one lane near Ohinewai, which was the cause of the congestion.
"It's a horrible way to end a day. It's just a waste of time. Here we were thinking it was a bad accident, hope everyone is okay, and you just sit in the traffic and do what you've got to do."
Tash Cook and her family also encountered heavy traffic near Taupiri. It took them two hours to travel around 30-35km.
Cook said it was frustrating there was no forewarning of the traffic or suggested diversions for the long weekend.
"We've been on the road far longer than anticipated. Then, of course, post the clearing of the traffic there was a bit of erratic driving from frustrated drivers," Cook said.
She was also frustrated about one lane being closed off, which had been in place for a long time.
A police spokesperson said police had been patrolling the area and noted that traffic was very heavy.
"Some delays are inevitable at the end of holiday weekend. Police advise all road users to allow plenty of time for the journey and drive to the conditions, because everyone deserves to get where they are going safely on our roads."
Meanwhile, Waka Kotahi encouraged motorists in Northland to either delay their travel if possible or to be alert and brace for heavy rain and thunderstorms on their journey.
Weather forecasters have issued a severe weather warning for Northland until midnight tonight while more than a month's worth of rain was recorded at a weather station in Whangārei today.
MetService forecaster Paul Ngamanu said 121mm had accumulated in the 24 hours to 6pm Monday, more than the historical April rainfall average for the region of 108mm.
In the 24-hour period to 6pm Monday, MetService had recorded 3100 lightning strikes, but they were almost all offshore. Eighty strikes were recorded over land north of Kerikeri.
MetService also warned of a low risk of small tornadoes which could be strong enough to cause damage.
Lee said on-and-off showers could be expected in Northland and Auckland until at least tomorrow morning.
Another heavy rain watch had been issued advising that periods of rain and thunderstorms are possible for eastern parts of Auckland north of Orewa, Great Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula and Bay of Plenty west of Tauranga.
The creek out the back is going off today pic.twitter.com/dM8jg35ccp
— followed by Chris Penk 🎃 (@bentorkington) April 18, 2022
"Showers with a moderate risk of thunderstorms continue into tomorrow for the upper North Island," MetService tweeted.
At 5.10pm, the northbound fast lane of the Southwestern Motorway was blocked before the Maioro St off-ramp due to a car fire.
Waka Kotahi said on Twitter that emergency services were on site and delays could be expected.
SH20 SOUTHWESTERN MWY - 5:10PM
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) April 18, 2022
Due to a car fire, the northbound fast lane is now BLOCKED before Maioro St off-ramp. Emergency services are now on-site. Please pass with care & expect DELAYS. An update will be provided when the road status has changed. ^LZ pic.twitter.com/3M5MDNySx3
For the Coromandel region, MetService said: "Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous."
The weather warning is in place until 1pm tomorrow.
Waka Kotahi systems manager Northland, Kobus Du Toit, said the region's mild and sunny weather from the weekend had changed dramatically overnight.
"If you are in Northland today and your plans are flexible, we suggest you delay travel. For those needing to head home from their Easter break, we urge you to remain alert while driving and expect the unexpected," Du Toit said.
RETURNING HOLIDAY TRAFFIC: Heading home following the long weekend? We anticipate traffic delays on key routes across the #SH1 Auckland/Northland network. Consider leaving when traffic is lighter, either early in the morning or late at night. More: https://t.co/uDDj6epp4q. ^MF pic.twitter.com/17ntWRXikL
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) April 17, 2022
"If you must travel, drive to the conditions, slow down and maintain a greater following distance between your vehicle and the one in front. Stay alert for unreported hazards, such as surface flooding, slips, fallen trees and branches, and treat any downed powerlines as live."
Waka Kotahi predicted traffic would be the busiest between 12-5pm and the heaviest traffic would be between Wellsford and Puhoi on State Highway 1.
Showers with a moderate risk of thunderstorms continue into tomorrow for the upper North Island. Here is the TS chart risk for tomorrow, with more localised downpours possible. Get the latest information here https://t.co/BZWb807s5l ^KL pic.twitter.com/c4a8APHFez
— MetService (@MetService) April 18, 2022
At 3.40pm, the commute time between Wellsford and Silverdale on SH1 was 57 minutes compared to 35 minutes when traffic is free-flowing.
To drive from Wellsford to the city via SH1 was taking motorists one hour and 18 minutes at 3.40pm. The route took motorists 54 minutes when traffic is free-flowing.
With a heavy rain warning in force until midnight for Northland, a further 70-100mm of rain was expected to fall, mostly to the north and east of the region.
At the peak, rainfall rates could reach 25-40mm per hour and localised thundery downpours were possible.
MetService has also issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Northland until 10am on Tuesday.
The forecaster said thunderstorms were expected in Northland over this period and it was possible the thunderstorms could become severe and bring localised downpours of 25-40mm per hour.
While a low pressure brings rain and severe weather to the upper North Island in particular. The South Island lies under a ridge of high pressure and settled weather. Satellite imagery from this morning shows low cloud and valley fog across Island, especially the High Country ^KL pic.twitter.com/dB0kStdoC2
— MetService (@MetService) April 17, 2022
Rainfall of this intensity could cause flash or surface flooding and could lead to slips while driving conditions could also be hazardous, with surface flooding and poor visibility due to the heavy rain.
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