With the MetService upgrading and extending weather alerts for the top of the South Island, drivers are warned more highways will be affected by the bad weather from today to tomorrow night.

A Heavy Rain Warning (Orange Level) has been issued for the Nelson/Marlborough ranges, and also Nelson Lakes National Park. A Strong Wind Warning (Orange Level) will also be in place from this afternoon to tomorrow evening for Marlborough southeast of the Awatere River.

In the lower North Island, a Strong Wind Warning (Orange Level) applies to Wellington from this afternoon to early Saturday morning.

This weather may affect the following highways:

South Island:

• State Highway 60 – Motueka to Collingwood
• State Highway 6 – Hira to Havelock
• State Highway 6 – Nelson to O’Sullivans Bridge
• State Highway 6 – O’Sullivans Bridge to Westport
• State Highway 65 – O’Sullivans Bridge to Springs Junction
• State Highway 63 – Kawatiri Junction to Renwick
• State Highway 1 – Seddon to south of Kaikoura

North Island:

• State Highway 1 – Wellington to Paekākāriki
• State Highway 2 – Hutt Valley to Remutaka Hill
• State Highway 58 – Haywards to Paremata
• State Highway 59 – Porirua to Paekākāriki

Drivers can expect challenging driving conditions while the bad weather persists and must take extra care on the roads.

Wet weather hazards – slips, localised flooding, rock and treefalls, can be expected.

Drivers of high-sided vehicles, towing vehicles, and motorcycles should also take care on exposed routes where high winds are forecast – State Highway 2 Remutaka Hill, Wainui Saddle State Highway 1 Transmission Gully, and State Highway 1 southern Marlborough to Kaikoura

With weather warnings also in place for the west Coast, Canterbury, Taranaki, and the central North Island, drivers are encouraged to check road and weather conditions before they travel. Routes may close at short notice.

6 May

With bad weather and official alerts in place, drivers in the top of the South Island will need to take extra care on the roads this Thursday and Friday

The MetService has issued a Heavy Rain Warning (Orange Level) for Tasman, northwest of Motueka from midday tomorrow (Thursday) until early Friday evening.

A Heavy Rain Watch (Yellow Level) is in force for the Richmond and Bryant ranges and the Rai Valley from 6 pm tomorrow until 8 pm Friday.

Significant rain is forecast, especially for Tākaka and Golden Bay, with thunderstorms possible. 

This weather will affect:

• State Highway 60 – Motueka to Collingwood
• State Highway 6 – O’Sullivans Bridge to Westport
• State Highway 6 – Hira to Havelock 

Drivers must be ready for weather-related hazards – localised flooding, slips, rockfalls, and slippery roads – and must drive to the conditions. 

Drivers should increase their following distance, reduce speed, avoid sudden braking, and use their headlights if visibility is poor.