Strong winds are set to hit parts of the country tomorrow, with MetService issuing a string of weather warnings and watches.
An orange-level strong wind warning has been issued for Auckland, Great Barrier Island, and the Coromandel Peninsula for Sunday afternoon, with several southwesterly gales forecast to gust up to 120km/h in exposed areas.
New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) warned the Auckland Harbour Bridge was likely to close for “brief periods” during strong wind gusts on Sunday,
MetService said these conditions could bring down trees and power lines and may make driving conditions difficult for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.
Strong wind watches were also issued for Northland and Waikato on Sunday, for Hawkes Bay south of Hastings and the Tararua District, and Southland south of about Gore, Clutha and Dunedin on Monday.
Several road snowfall warnings have also been issued, with rain expected to turn to snow on the Crown Range Road and Lindis Pass Saturday afternoon.
Auckland Emergency Management said the “very windy weather” forecast could cause damage and disruption, particularly when the ground was wet and trees became unstable.
It urged residents to bring in or tie down loose items, clear branches or debris that could became dangerous in strong winds, and to check the household emergency plan and supplies including torches and spare batteries.
Auckland’s Cornwall Park and its facilities would be closed to the public from 1pm on Sunday “until further notice”, it said in a post online.
Short closures likely for Auckland Harbour Bridge
The Auckland Harbour Bridge was likely to close for brief periods tomorrow during strong wind gusts, the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) said.
Northwesterly winds were likely to hit amber thresholds in the morning and strengthen to red by late morning, possibly triggering a red alert.
“To ensure safety, speed limits on the bridge may be reduced, lanes on the bridge may close, or short periods of full closures may be required,” an NZTA spokesperson said.
“Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions and pay attention to electronic message boards on the motorway.
“With strong winds predicted, drivers of high-sided vehicles and motorcyclists should avoid the Auckland Harbour Bridge and use the western ring route on State Highways 16 and 18.”
Full list of weather warnings and watches
Orange Strong Wind Warning
Auckland, Great Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula – 9 hours from 3pm to midnight Sunday
Strong Wind Watch
Northland – 8 hours from 1pm to 9pm Sunday
Waikato north of Hamilton – 9 hours from 3pm to midnight Sunday
Hawke’s Bay south of Hastings and the Tararua District – 10 hours from 12pm to 10pm Monday
Southland south of about Gore, Clutha and Dunedin – 8 hours from 10am to 6pm Monday
Road Snowfall Warning
Crown Range Road – 11 hours from 5pm Saturday to 4am Sunday
Lindis Pass (SH8) – 11 hours from 6pm Saturday to 5am Sunday
Milford Road (SH94) – 14 hours from 10am to midnight Saturday
