26 June:

With the Metservice upgrading its weather alerts for the top of the South Island, local drivers are being warned to be ready for potential disruptions and delays.

There is now a Heavy Rain Warning in place for Nelson, Marlborough, and Seddon, as well as Tasman northwest of Motueka and the Buller District. The warnings are in place until tomorrow afternoon with 200-300 mm of rain forecast for some areas.

Metservice weather warnings map.

Heavy rain significantly increases the risk of flooding and slips across the highway network and local roads. Drivers must be prepared for wet weather hazards and ensure they drive to the conditions.

While all state highways in the regions are currently open, the upgraded weather alerts mean the chances of bad weather affecting the network have increased.

If roads are closed due to bad weather, drivers must observe and obey them. They are there to ensure people are kept safe. Ignoring a closure not only puts your safety at risk, but it also endangers those who may have to rescue you should problems occur.

Drivers should also avoid driving through floodwaters. Currents may be deceptively strong and hide hidden dangers and road damage.

Road users are encouraged to report any faults they see on highways – slips, flooding, rockfalls etc – to NZTA/Waka Kotahi on 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49).

Road crews are on call, ready to attend and resolve issues on the network as they arise.

With bad weather also affecting other regions across the South Island, drivers are strongly encouraged to check road conditions before they travel.

Highway conditions – Nelson/Marlborough(external link)
Metservice weather warnings(external link)
Driving in bad weather(external link)

25 June:

With multiple weather alerts issued, drivers in the top of the South are urged to be ready for bad weather driving on the region’s roads.

A Heavy Rain Warning is in place for the Tasman District, northwest of Motueka, from midnight tonight until midday Friday – up to 300 mm of rain is forecast for the ranges. This will affect State Highway 60 in Tākaka and Golden Bay.

A Heavy Rain Watch has also been issued for Nelson, Tasman, and Marlborough for tomorrow and Friday. Strong Wind Watches also apply to the Marlborough region.

This weather will affect:

• State Highway 60 in Tasman, Motueka, Tākaka, and Golden Bay.
• State Highway 6 between Nelson and Blenheim.
• State Highway 6 from Nelson to Murchison, and the Buller Gorge.
• State Highway 65 to Lewis Springs.
• State Highway 63 through the Wairau Valley.
• State Highway 1 and State Highway 62 in Marlborough.

It means drivers must take extra care on the roads and ensure they drive according to the conditions. Wet roads can be slippery, so road users should reduce their speed, increase their following distances, and be prepared for slips, rockfalls, and flooding.

Strong winds can be hazardous for trucks, vans, campervans, towing vehicles, and motorcycles. Road users should be prepared for sudden gusts, crosswinds, fallen trees, and wind-blown debris – particularly in exposed areas.

With weather warnings also in place for Canterbury, Otago, and the West Coast, people traveling throughout the South Island need to stay up to date on road and weather conditions. Road conditions can change without warning, and routes can be closed at short notice due to slips and flooding.

Highway conditions – Nelson/Marlborough(external link)
Metservice weather warnings(external link)
Driving in bad weather(external link)