Auckland commuters are being urged to delay morning travel tomorrow as a fierce storm closes in on the city.
The MetService has issued a strong wind warning for Auckland from 2am until 9am on Tuesday, with gusts of up to 110 km/h forecast to strike during the morning rush hour.
This comes after Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency said there was a chance the bridge will close on Tuesday, and motorists should avoid the area, or expect delays.
Be prepared for a possible closure of the #SH1 Harbour Bridge TOMORROW as @MetService has issued a strong wind warning between 2am & 9am, Tue 12 July. Consider using #SH16 & #SH18 as an alternative route. Overnight updates: https://t.co/f9UfzBfdIk. ^LB pic.twitter.com/bMvHayMYo0
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) July 11, 2022
"These wind speeds surpass the threshold for safe use of the bridge, and could result in multiple closures over a one-two hour time period.
"Motorists are urged to plan ahead as the predicted closures could coincide with peak morning traffic."
Drivers of high-sided vehicles and motorcyclists are encouraged to avoid the bridge while wind warnings are in place and use the Western Ring on State Highways 16 and 18.
AT real-time and response manager Rachel Cara said that even if there wasn't a full bridge closure in the morning, bus services could still be affected by precautions put in place.
"When wind reaches the sorts of levels we're expecting tomorrow morning we expect to see disruptions to our Northern Express services, along with buses travelling from Glenfield, Beach Haven and Takapuna," she said.
Cara also warned ferry passengers to expect potential disruptions.
"On windy and choppy days like tomorrow ... our ferry operators often cancel trips or replace them by road depending on the conditions.
"Our advice to Aucklanders, particularly those on the North Shore is to consider travelling later in the day tomorrow if at all possible and to check the latest AT service alert updates before leaving the house."
The warnings come as New Zealand battens down the hatches in preparation for some wild weather with more than 40 warnings and watches issued nationwide.
From the top of the North Island to the bottom of the South there are gale-force winds, torrential rain and snow forecast.
The harsh weather is the result of a deep low moving across New Zealand, bringing with it associated fronts which cause the conditions.
MetService is warning people the weather will be "a significant event".
"People are advised to keep up to date with the latest forecasts as parts of these watches will likely be upgraded to orange warnings, or more areas added."
Manawatu District Council is prepared for the coming storm, by purchasing 5000 sandbags and 10 tonnes of sand, which will be delivered to Victoria Park today.
Sand and sandbags are here at Victoria Park now!
Posted by Manawatū District Council on Sunday, July 10, 2022
"These will be made available to residents who have previously experienced flooding of their dwellings or shed/garages. We will have a staff member on site to hand out sandbags from 1pm until 6pm this evening."
🟧 Severe Weather Incoming 🟨
— MetService (@MetService) July 10, 2022
The low pressure system passing over the next 48 hours is moving fast but it packs a punch!
Gale winds + heavy rain on top of saturated regions could bring about impacts quickly.
Tree fall, power outages, surface flooding and slips are possible. pic.twitter.com/Pow1Z5hew9
Between Coromandel and Bay of Plenty, people can expect winds approaching gale-force and up to 110mm of rain, with rates of 15mm per hour at times.
Flooding is likely for many parts across the Waikato region. This is due to the heavy rain falling on already saturated catchments.
River flooding along low-lying coastal areas may also be exacerbated over high tide periods for all Waikato region coasts. The regional council has asked residents to stay vigilant for localised flooding and slips caused by the high river and stream levels.
It's not just rain tomorrow, here's a closer look at the Strong Wind Warnings and Watches in place especially for
— MetService (@MetService) July 11, 2022
💨Auckland
💨Tasman
💨Buller
💨Westland
Plenty more severe weather watches in place for much of the country https://t.co/qHyE5zzql5 pic.twitter.com/r9tjj1g6TW
Gisborne to Hawke's Bay can expect similar conditions, with heavy rain. And at the bottom of the North Island, Wellington is set to experience gale-force winds until at least Wednesday morning.
The west coast of the top of the South Island is also forecast to experience severe winds. They are expected to rise to a gale gusting at 140km/h.
The Tararua Ranges will be drenched by heavy rain and, across Cook Strait, Nelson and Marlborough districts will be battered by rain and wind.
Canterbury's high country is under a heavy snow and rain watch, with heavy rain expected to turn to snow above 400m.
Central Otago and the Lakes district can expect similar conditions.
Several roads have heavy snow watches in place between Tuesday and Wednesday.
These are: Lindis Pass, the Crown Ranges, Arthur's Pass, Porter's Pass, and the Dunedin and Waitati Highway.
Low pressure will direct moisture into NZ early next week, resulting in heavy rain for many areas.
— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) July 10, 2022
The heaviest rain will occur on Tuesday. The first image shows the chance of rainfall >50 mm, and the second image >100 mm. The highest rain amounts are likely in BoP and upper SI. pic.twitter.com/xGT8v7jp7q
The wintry blast is being attributed to an "atmospheric river" snaking across the country. These long, thin filaments of atmospheric moisture are capable of carrying double the average flow of the Amazon River – or 200 times that of our largest river, the Clutha/Mata Au.
Around 40 atmospheric rivers make landfall here every year, with four or five classified as strong and usually hitting around summer.
💧 An atmospheric river is forecast to impact New Zealand on Monday-Tuesday with heavy rain likely, especially in the northern+western North Island & northern+eastern South Island.
— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) July 8, 2022
The purple colours (🟣) indicate high moisture values - ones we'd associate with a flooding risk. pic.twitter.com/oyHjKD376C
The coming system could bring 100mm to 120mm of rainfall between 8pm Monday and 3pm on Tuesday, with peak rates of 15mm to 25mm an hour.
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