Key Takeaways
- A deep low‑pressure system is bringing heavy rain, strong winds, and cold air that may turn to snow across New Zealand.
- Interislander has cancelled multiple Wellington ↔ Picton sailings on Thursday and Friday; Bluebridge has cancelled over half of its Thursday‑Friday services.
- Orange rain warnings cover Auckland, Northland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, and inland Tasman District, with possible localized flooding and slips.
- Orange wind warnings are in effect for Wellington, Marlborough east of Seddon, and the Marlborough Sounds, posing risks of treefalls, downed power lines, and debris, especially for high‑sided vehicles.
- Heavy swell warnings forecast waves up to seven metres on the southern Wellington and Wairarapa coasts, though impacts are expected to be less severe than a few weeks ago.
- Road snowfall warnings affect several South Island passes (Lewis Pass, Arthur’s Pass, Porters Pass, Lindis Pass, Milford Road, Crown Range Road) where snow may hinder travel on State Highways 7, 73, 8, 94.
- Transport agencies urge motorists to check weather and highway updates, reduce speed, increase following distances, and watch for hazards such as flooding, slips, rockfalls, and wind‑blown debris.
- Ferry operators and civil defence are monitoring conditions and will move passengers to alternative sailings or provide refunds if cancellations persist.
- The public is invited to submit photos or videos of the weather to [email protected] for community sharing.
Weather System Overview
A deep low‑pressure system situated over the Tasman Sea is pushing a moist front northward over the upper North Island while a colder front moves up from the South Island. This combination has produced widespread heavy rain, thunderstorms, and strong southerly winds across Auckland, Northland, the Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, and parts of the Tasman District. As the cold air advances, temperatures in the South Island’s higher elevations are dropping enough for rain to turn to snow, creating a mixed‑weather scenario that affects both islands simultaneously.
Interislander Ferry Cancellations
Interislander announced the cancellation of several Wellington‑Picton crossings due to forecasted significant swells and high winds in the Cook Strait. On Thursday, the 3:30 pm Wellington‑Picton and the 9:30 pm Picton‑Wellington sailings were called off. Friday saw further disruptions: the 3:30 am and 3:30 pm Wellington‑Picton services, as well as the 9:30 am and 9:30 pm Picton‑Wellington trips, were all cancelled. The operator said affected passengers are being contacted directly and offered alternative sailings or full refunds.
Bluebridge Ferry Disruptions
Bluebridge also reported extensive cancellations for its Cook Strait routes. Over half of its Thursday‑Friday sailings have been scrapped, including the 8:15 am, 1:30 pm, and 8:30 pm Wellington‑Picton departures, plus the 2:00 pm and 7:15 pm Picton‑Wellington services. The company cited heavy swells and strong winds expected to persist through Saturday, noting that it will continue to monitor conditions and may adjust schedules further if the weather deteriorates.
Rain Warnings and Impacts
MetService issued heavy rain warnings for the Coromandel Peninsula (until 8 pm), the Bay of Plenty west of Kawerau (until 3 am Thursday), and inland Tasman District west of Motueka (until midnight). Forecasts predict up to 100 mm of rain, with localized downpours reaching 40 mm per hour and the possibility of thunderstorms. In Auckland’s northern suburbs, 30‑40 mm fell earlier on Wednesday. The wet conditions raise the risk of localized flooding, slips, and rockfalls, particularly on State Highway 60 – Tākaka Hill and Tākaka Valley.
Snowfall Warnings for South Island Highways
As the cold front moves north, snow is expected on several South Island mountain passes. MetService has issued road snowfall warnings for: Lewis Pass (State Highway 7) from 3 am Thursday to 8 am Friday; Arthur’s Pass and Porters Pass (both on State Highway 73) from 11 pm Wednesday to 9 am Thursday and 11 pm Wednesday to 3 am Friday respectively; Lindis Pass (State Highway 8) from 5 pm Wednesday to 11 am Thursday; Milford Road (State Highway 94) from 4 am to noon Thursday; and the Crown Range Road from 5 am to noon Thursday. Motorists on these routes should anticipate reduced visibility, icy surfaces, and possible road closures.
Orange Wind Warning and Associated Hazards
An Orange Wind Warning covers Wellington, Marlborough east of Seddon, and the Marlborough Sounds from Thursday night through Friday evening. Strong gusts are likely to affect exposed routes such as Wainui Saddle on State Highway 1 (Transmission Gully) and State Highway 2 (Remutaka Hill). The warning highlights increased risks of treefalls, downed power lines, and wind‑blown debris. Transport agencies advise drivers of high‑sided vehicles, vans, trucks, campervans, towing vehicles, light vehicles, and motorcyclists to exercise caution, while cyclists and pedestrians should be careful on shared paths like the Ngauranga‑Petone route.
Swell Warning for Wellington‑Wairarapa Coast
Wellington Civil Defence Emergency Management noted a swell warning for the southern coasts of Wellington and Wairarapa. MetService forecasts waves rising to six metres early Friday morning, peaking near seven metres late Friday morning, then easing in the afternoon. Although the predicted swell heights are lower than those seen a few weeks ago, the agency does not anticipate significant impacts on roads or properties at this stage. Nevertheless, mariners and coastal users should remain vigilant.
Road Safety Advice from Transport Agencies
Both the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) and local councils are urging motorists to stay informed via real‑time weather and highway updates. Recommendations include reducing speed, increasing following distances, avoiding sudden braking, using headlights when visibility drops, and being prepared for hazards such as flooding, slips, rockfalls, and debris. For areas under wind warnings, drivers should be especially cautious on exposed ridges and bridges, where gusts can destabilise high‑sided vehicles.
Monitoring and Contingency Planning
Ferry operators Interislander and Bluebridge are continuously monitoring swell, wind, and weather forecasts. They state that further delays or cancellations may occur if conditions worsen, and they are prepared to re‑route passengers or issue refunds as needed. Civil defence and transport agencies have crews on standby to assess road conditions, close routes if necessary, and deploy resources for tree clearance or debris removal. The public is encouraged to check the MetService website or NZTA’s travel‑information platforms before setting out.
Community Engagement and Closing Note
To capture the evolving weather scene, media outlets are inviting residents to share photos and videos of the conditions at [email protected]. This crowd‑sourced material helps build a real‑time picture of the storm’s impact across the country. As the low‑pressure system continues to move, staying updated through official channels and heeding the advice of authorities will be the best way to navigate the challenging weather safely.