Roads are closed and Wellington ferries have been cancelled as a wintry blast sweeps the country, bringing with it large dumpings of snow and gale-force winds.
Rain and snow are also forecast to fall on parts of the North Island, with a chance of thunderstorms and hail in Auckland and Northland this afternoon.
Interislander and Bluebridge have cancelled all sailings for the remainder of the afternoon due to large swells and high winds in Cook Strait.
MetService has issued a strong wind watch, which is in effect until 6pm.
🟡 Wellington Wind Watch💨
— MetService (@MetService) August 18, 2025
You might need your wind resistant umbrellas ☔ in Wellington today. On top of the rain, winds are becoming stronger than normal this afternoon.
Southerly winds may approach severe gale in exposed places, with gusts to 100km/h.
For more on… pic.twitter.com/xTJexVYIuN
MetService has issued a slew of road snowfall warnings in both islands, with some roads forced to close this morning.
In the central North Island, road snow warnings have been issued for Desert Rd (SH1) from 3pm until 6pm, and Napier-Taupo Rd (SH5) from 7pm until 3am.
The same warning is in effect for Lewis Pass (SH7) until at least 5pm and Porters Pass (SH73) until 2pm.
The warning will come into effect for Remutaka Hill Rd (SH2) at 11pm and will last until at least 5am.
A section of the Lindis Pass between Omarama and Tarras has reopened after snow closed it earlier this morning.
Earlier, the Queenstown Lakes District Council said chains need to be fitted to vehicles planning to travel over the Crown Range.
“Crews have set up checkpoints to ensure vehicles abide by this rule and signage has been set up either side of the hill.”
⛷️❄️ Dust off those skis… SNOW is on the way!
— MetService (@MetService) August 17, 2025
🌨️ Snow is expected across many South Island areas above ~200m on Monday & Tuesday.
🌨️ The central North Island high country could also see snow above ~900m.
🚗 A range of Road Snowfall Warnings have been issued, check details here… pic.twitter.com/6gIlvNiDo9
On its thunderstorm outlook, MetService is reporting there is a risk of thunderstorms for many parts of the North Island, including Auckland and Northland.
The forecasting agency said the threat of heavy rain and small hail extends from Northland to Whanganui.
Expect a dreary, winterlike day on Tuesday:
— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) August 18, 2025
⛈️ The North Island will see showers and even thunderstorms.
🍃 Gusts 100+ km/h will affect areas along Cook Strait.
❄️ Snow will settle in higher terrain.
🥶 Chilly temperatures that will struggle to get out of the single numbers. pic.twitter.com/CU4T6yXxKI
There is also a risk of thunderstorms in Wairoa District and Gisborne this afternoon and evening with heavy rain of 10-15 mm/h, gusts of 80 km/h and 15mm-sized hail possible.
MetService forecaster Brian Mercer told the Herald almost every part of the North Island was forecast to receive showers.
“It’s going to be very strong, cold southerlies across much of the North Island, and it’s going to feel super cold in the afternoon and evening,” Mercer said.
Meanwhile, Auckland is in for strong westerlies, with showers along the west coast.
“There is also the potential for thunderstorms in the morning, mostly about the west coast of Auckland and Northland,” he said.
From the afternoon onwards, those showers are likely to extend over the city.
“Later in the evening, the southerly is going to come up and we’re going to get a good blast of southerly wind,” he said.
“The showers should clear by about midnight to 3am but Auckland will still be in the southerly.”
David Williams is an Auckland-based Multimedia Journalist who joined the Herald in 2023. He covers breaking news and general topics.