Long-weekend holidaymakers face traffic delays early this afternoon, with wet weather already causing chaos on Auckland motorways.
Auckland and many parts of the North Island were hit by heavy rain and surface flooding on Friday morning as the Queen's Birthday wintry weekend blast began to hit.
Auckland was struck by several rounds of heavy rain, including a "torrential downpour" in the west, causing woe for motorists heading to work.
MetService meteorologist Hannah Moes said 8mm had so far fallen in the Auckland region but that "there is still plenty of rain in the forecast for this morning".
Motorway traffic has already slowed Aucklanders with a serious of crashes creating traffic jams.
A crash on the Southern Motorway heading north just before the Mt Wellington off-ramp about 10.30am has created heavy traffic through the area.
While it had since been cleared, traffic remains heavy from Tip Top corner to Market Rd.
Earlier, citybound traffic was heavy on the Northwestern Motorway between The Causeway and St Lukes, while citybound traffic on the Southern Motorway was slow from Manukau to Ellerslie.
A crash just after 7am blocked a citybound lane on the Southern Motorway at Takanini, while a crash on State Highway 1 between Warkworth and Puhoi also caused delays.
UPDATE 7:30AM
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) May 30, 2019
This crash NOW CLEARED leaving northbound lanes on #SH1 through Takanini heavy, but easing. Allow extra time. ^TPhttps://t.co/0c347WQw6T
Elsewhere snow has been falling on the mountains while the West Coast has had heavy rain.
Take extra care on the roads with thunderstorms possible this morning. Please drive to the conditions. ^TPhttps://t.co/5PaXSvPfqn
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) May 30, 2019
Early this morning a MetService severe thunderstorm watch was in place from Hamilton to Cape Reinga, which threatened to affect Auckland's morning commute and any motorists attempting to make an early long-weekend getaway.
Speaking of snow, here's the snowfall forecast through to early Sunday morning. Note the higher elevations will see the most accumulation, though parts of Southland may see a bit of snow to sea level.
— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) May 30, 2019
if you're travelling 🚗, check ahead with the @nzta_news for road updates. pic.twitter.com/nkgbjX4RHu
The watch had now been lifted after the front moved in overnight with embedded thunderstorms that threatened to bring severe rain, hail and squally winds, the forecaster said.
The front was now making its way east across Northland towards the Coromandel.
Even while most of you are asleep, we're still here watching the weather 24/7!
— MetService (@MetService) May 30, 2019
You might be in for a few bright flashes, booms and rumbles in this line of rautupu (thunderstorms) moving onto the North Island.https://t.co/prKU7O2R01
^Tui pic.twitter.com/9CZbUtqctt
The wild weather has left Auckland looking at a high of 18C today before the winter freeze hits, sending temperatures to 14C and 13C on Saturday and Sunday.
Monday is tipped to be the pick of the long weekend weather with a break in the rain and high of 16C.
However, fellow forecaster WeatherWatch is now tipping two more cold blasts to hit Auckland and the country next week, with both having the potential to bring wild winds capable of bringing down power lines.
The first would hit briefly on Wednesday before a second storm followed on Friday.
"WeatherWatch has already advised utilities in Auckland of possible power outages one week from now as this blast of windy weather comes in," the forecaster said.
The NZ Transport Agency is also urging motorists to be careful across the country today as roads turn potentially hazardous with heavy long weekend traffic and changeable weather.
☔ Have the umbrella handy on Friday! A mostly dry Thursday in the North Island is turning wet overnight 🌧️ pic.twitter.com/8wIyXZb9z3
— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) May 30, 2019
It's warning holidaying motorists heading north out of Auckland to expect heavy traffic from 1pm-6pm today. Traffic is then tipped to be heavy with returning weekenders coming south into Auckland on Monday between 10.30am-6pm.
Those travellers heading south out of the city should expect heavy traffic today from 10.30am through to 7.30pm.
Driving condition remain poor this morning. Please slow down, increase your following distance, keep your lights on and allow extra time. ^TPhttps://t.co/XCGJjx1Kig
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Waikato/BoP (@WakaKotahiWaiBP) May 30, 2019
Police national manager of road policing Superintendent Steve Greally also issued a statement telling motorists to "stay alert, be patient, and don't rush".
"More than 160 people have died on our roads this year. Tragically, many of those deaths could have been prevented if everyone took these four simple and proven road safety actions that prevent serious injury and death on our roads," he said.
Winter driving with the long Queens Birthday Weekend ahead https://t.co/gGS0g9md39
— Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency news (@WakaKotahi_news) May 30, 2019
"Make sure everyone has their seatbelts on, remove distractions and stay focused on driving, don't get behind the wheel if you've been drinking or are tired, and drive at a safe speed for the conditions."
Travellers heading north for the long weekend can expect highs of 15C and 14C in Whangārei this Saturday and Sunday, before the rain clears on Monday for a high of 16C.
Whitianga in the Coromandel is expected to reach a high of 14C on Saturday and Sunday before a cloudy Monday with a top of 15C.
Traffic heading north and south between Wellington and the Kapiti Coast is also expected to be heavy over each day of the long weekend, NZTA said.
The capital can expect a windy and wet high of 15C today, before the temperature drops to 12C and 9C on Saturday and Sunday. Monday should be mainly fine with a high of 13C.
However, the worst of the rain had passed through Wellington overnight when there was about 60mm of rainfall in the ranges and wind gusts up to 118km/h on Rimutaka summit.
Saturday's when NZ reaches 'peak cold'...but wait, there's another polar blast next week too? (+4 Maps) https://t.co/49IrzLc96N via @weatherwatchnz #Kiwi #NewZealand #weather
— WeatherWatch.co.nz (@WeatherWatchNZ) May 30, 2019
In the South Island, Christchurch is tipped for a high of 14C today before the temperature plummets to a wet and wintry 8C and 9C on Sunday before the weather turns fine on Monday for a top of 12C.
Overnight temperatures will drop to a freezing 1C on Saturday and Sunday nights.
Traffic is being delayed north west of Christchurch where one person was trapped after a car and tanker truck crashed on Oxford Rd (SH72), west of Cust, near Poyntz, police said.
@WeatherWatchNZ said there’d be snow pic.twitter.com/glgp1jeHzk
— Ele Ludemann (@eleludemann) May 30, 2019
Emergency services rushed to the scene and got to work freeing the person.
St John said a helicopter took one person to Christchurch Hospital in a critical condition.
SH72 was currently blocked.
31/05/19 07:24: Traffic incident in Cust. 3 patients to Christchurch Hospital. Helicopter dispatched. https://t.co/eHsswuD2BC
— St John (@StJohnAlerts) May 30, 2019
Elsewhere in the South Island, the West Coast has been hit with deluges of rain after overnight heavy rain warnings from the ranges west of Nelson to Buller and Fox Glacier.
Arthur's Pass was the wettest place in the country over the past 24 hours with about 200mm of rainfall in the area.
MetService's Moes said it had been a very active past few days weather-wise in New Zealand.
"In the last 24 hours, we've seen 8500 lightning strikes, mainly in the west of the South Island in the west and central parts of the North Island," she said.
Water Safety NZ has also called for Kiwis to keep safe around rivers and waterways over the long weekend.
"Anyone heading out into the outdoors for a walk, a hike, to hunt or to fish needs to be careful around rivers and other waterways," chief executive Jonty Mills said.
"Rivers running at high levels are extremely changeable and unpredictable and incredibly dangerous.
"Rivers generally account for a third of all preventable drownings and last year the deadliest activity was accidental immersion.
"That's why we are urging people to use caution around water."
Winter Road Report - Friday 31 May. Very damp roads in general. Grit and icy spots on the Crown Range. Potential for rock slides and slips around network. Winter weather coming later today so prepare. Carry your chains in case. Full report here: https://t.co/H4YW2nA1se
— QLDC (@QueenstownLakes) May 30, 2019
Snowfall was expected to affect State Highway 8 at Lindis Pass with falls to about 600m yesterday along with the Crown Range Rd and Milford Rd (SH94).
However, the larger dumps of snow were not expected until tomorrow with the southerly cold front blows in, Moes said.
FINAL UPDATE 7:30PM
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Canterbury & West Coast (@WakaKotahiCWC) May 30, 2019
The river has now dropped and the road is OPEN. ^JPhttps://t.co/5tAW5Bi7ge
The freezing weekend across the country has been likened to a weather hangover by National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) meteorologist Chris Brandolini after months of warmer than average temperatures.
2019 Winter Climate Outlook for NZ! 🏔️
— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) May 30, 2019
❄️ A fast and furious start, but...
📈 A colder than average season is unlikely.
☔ Rainfall near or below normal, except West Coast.
☀️ July may bring more settled weather.
🌊 El Niño influence continues, but may fade toward neutral. pic.twitter.com/oal9FuWRuQ
However, despite a second cold snap being due to hit late next week, the overall outlook for winter was for temperatures to be normal or above average, he said.
Morning rain then occasional showers, all with possible squally thunderstorms and hail. 19C high, 10C overnight.
Morning rain then occasional showers, all with possible squally thunderstorms and hail. 18C high, 9C overnight.
Morning rain then occasional showers, all with possible squally thunderstorms and hail. 16C high, 7C overnight.
Rain with possible squally thunderstorms and hail. 18C high, 9C overnight.
Rotorua Rain with possible squally thunderstorms and hail. 14C high, 6C overnight.
New Plymouth Periods of rain, with squally thunderstorms and hail at times. 18C high, 9C overnight.
Napier A period of morning rain, then becoming fine. 18C high, 9C overnight.
Whanganui Rain, possibly heavy, clearing afternoon but returning evening. 18C high, 8C overnight.
Wellington Any remaining rain clearing early but returning evening. 15C high, 8C overnight.
Nelson Fine spells with the chance of showers, then rain from evening with possible heavy falls. 15C high, 5C overnight.
Christchurch Rain developing this evening. 14C high, 4C overnight.
Dunedin Cloudy periods with a shower or two. Rain from evening. 10C high, 5C overnight.
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