Weather: Road reopens after large truck’s trailer rolls in strong winds and blocks highway south of Tekapo

A main road south of Tekapo has reopened after gale-force winds caused a large truck’s trailer to roll and block multiple lanes.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) said the truck blocked both lanes at the Tekapo flyover/Tekapo Canal Road intersection this morning, closing State Highway 8 from Tekapo to Lake Pukaki.

The road has since reopened.

NZTA said while the intersection is now clear, road users are still urged to take extra care in the strong winds.

Fire and Emergency NZ confirmed two crews responded to the incident on State Highway 8 this morning.

There were no reports of injuries.

Wind gusts in excess of 140km/h have been recorded in the Mackenzie Country today.

A truck trailer has rolled due to high winds on State Highway 8, south of Tekapo. Photo / NZTA

MetService has issued heavy rain watches and severe gale warnings across the lower North Island and South Island that will last until Tuesday afternoon in some areas.

Gusts of up to 130km/h are forecast for the Canterbury High Country, the foothills of the Canterbury Plains, Wellington, Wairarapa and the Tararua Range.

MetService meteorologist Lewis Ferris said there was a “busy week of weather ahead”.

“Starting off today with some very blustery northwest winds moving up the South Island today [and] into Tuesday.

“Then it’s sort of petering out a little bit - but there is more weather to come as we get into Thursday.

“Maybe a little bit higher in intensity.

“Today, a lot of the warnings are covering the south and the east of the South Island.

“It’s the typical areas to be affected by these very strong northwesterly winds.”

A large truck carrying a trailer has rolled due to high winds, leaving a main road blocked south of Tekapo. Photo / NZTA

Damage to trees, powerlines and unsecured structures is possible, MetService has warned.

Driving may also be difficult in these areas, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.

The headwaters of Canterbury’s lakes and rivers also have a heavy rain watch warning from tomorrow until Tuesday morning.

Otago and Marlborough also face a heavy rain watch, with winds near 120km/h expected from Monday afternoon.

By Thursday, MetService said a deep low-pressure system is expected to drive cold southwesterlies across the South and Central North Island.