Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook
Motorists using the Auckland Harbour Bridge are being warned of delays due to strong wind gusts, with an amber alert in place until late morning.
Severe winds forced the closure of lanes to two in each direction for a short time on Wednesday morning.
Wind gusts on the bridge were expected to reach 70 to 85km/h, as strong southwesterlies hit the city.
Lanes being closed on Auckland Harbour Bridge due to strong wind on Wednesday morning. Photo: Waka Kotahi
Drivers of high-sided vehicles and motorcyclists were advised to avoid the bridge and use the western ring route on State Highways 16 and 18.
The amber alert was in place until 11am.
Motorists were urged to drive to the conditions, look out for the electronic message boards which will indicate lane closures and reduced speeds, and stay within their lane while travelling across the bridge.
UPDATE 9:45AM
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Central North Island (@WakaKotahiCNI) July 25, 2023
SH49 has now RE-OPENED following snow this morning. SH1 remains CLOSED between Taihape and Rangipo.
CLOSED
• SH1 Taihape to Rangipo - Snow
^CS https://t.co/xJX6LBNnEE pic.twitter.com/jkPIRaguWZ
In the central North Island, snow has closed State Highway 1 from Taihape to Rangipo.
State Highway 49 has now reopened.
A MetService strong wind watch is in place for Northland south of Kawakawa, Auckland including Great Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato north of Huntly and coastal areas from Tokomaru Bay to Wairoa.
Southwesterly winds are forecast for Dunedin, North Otago, Clutha and Southland south of Lumsden including Stewart Island on Thursday and could approach severe gale force in exposed places, MetService said.
The view from above ️ shows a couple of interesting things.
— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) July 25, 2023
↘️ Bubbly cloud from cold air moving over the relatively warmer seas creating instability, and ultimately, showers & thunderstorms.
↘️ S'ly wind drying as it descends off the Alps to the west coast of South Island. pic.twitter.com/oa5IXgarjU
