Weather: Severe gale watch for BOP, snow falling on Central Plateau

A strong wind watch is in place for the Western Bay of Plenty today while snow is falling on the Central Plateau.

NZ Transport Agency said in an update at 8.35am that snow was currently falling on State Highway 1 Desert Rd and State Highway 5 Napier to Taupō Rd.

MetService is expecting heavy snowfall for the Central Plateau this afternoon and evening with 5 to 10cm of snow due to settle with 1 to 2cm expected for the State Highway 5 Napier-Taupō Rd, between 2pm and 9pm.

Snow and ice may impact the following State Highways.

SH1 Desert Rd, SH46 and SH47 Rangipo to National Park, SH4 National Park to Tohunga Junction, Ohakune, SH49 Tohunga Junction (Ohakune) to Waiouru and State Highway 5 Napier to Taupō as well as the Napier-Taihape Rd

CENTRAL PLATEAU - CRASH & SNOW/ICE - FINAL UPDATE 8:05AM, FRI 10 JUL We have had a few queries, so confirming that all...

Posted by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Central North Island on Monday, 6 July 2020

Meanwhile, MetService said a low was expected to move eastwards across the North Island today bringing strong west to southwest winds to upper parts of the North Island including west of Pāpāmoa.

July 8 Rain Radar

🌧 Showers and strong southwesterlies across the country today 💨 There have also been a few strikes ⛈ across the upper North Island this morning, with more possible until afternoon bit.ly/NZRainRadar Stong Wind Watches across the upper North Island remain in place until this evening, and snow is expected to affect the Desert Road and Napier-Taupō Road mainly from this afternoon. Keep an eye on updates at http://bit.ly/AllWarnings ^Tahlia

Posted by MetService New Zealand on Tuesday, 7 July 2020

The watch is in place from 9am to 6pm.

While snow isn't expected in populated areas north of Taihape, strong southwesterlies & localised thunderstorms means the upper North Island is forecast it's own share of stormy weather tomorrow. For details find our meteorologist written forecasts at https://t.co/hnwmGxU1gR ^AC pic.twitter.com/3SIqe3RNh9

— MetService (@MetService) July 7, 2020

Rotorua, Taupō, Whakatāne and Tauranga can expect showers becoming less frequent this evening before returning tomorrow with some possibly thundery. The weather looks to clear by Thursday all the way into the weekend for the region.