UPDATE 4.00pm:

State Highway 2 is now open between Papawai Road and Hospital Road. 

Bad weather continues to affect the wider Wellington and Wairarapa regions. Drivers are urged to take care while travelling on the roads and to drive to the conditions.

Because bad weather can close roads at short notice, it remains essential people check road and weather conditions before they travel.

• Highway conditions - Wellington(external link)
• Metservice weather warnings(external link)
• Driving in bad weather(external link)

UPDATE: 3:45 pm:

State Highway 2 is currently subject to a weather-related closure in Greytown where debris needs to be cleared from the road.

The highway is closed between the intersections of Papawai Road and Hospital Road. This is south of a current road closure in place in Greytown for road rebuilding works.

Local road detours are available, and drivers can expect delays in the area until the incident is resolved.

Road users are asked to avoid the area and follow instructions of emergency services and contractors at the site.

Updates on the highway’s status can be found on the NZTA/Waka Kotahi website.

Highway conditions - Wellington(external link)

Update 1 May - 11.04am:

With the Metservice upgrading its weather alerts for the Wellington region, drivers are being urged to keep a close eye on weather conditions and take extra care on the region’s roads.

A Heavy Rain Warning remains in place until midday tomorrow. However, a Strong Wind Warning has been upgraded to red level  and is in place through until 3 am tomorrow (Friday) morning.

Gusts of 140 km/h are forecast and are expected to peak this afternoon, and this is the safety threshold that can see closures put in place on State Highway 2 Remutaka Hill.

It is critical road users drive to the conditions, avoid unnecessary travel, and be prepared for hazardous conditions. Heavy rain and strong winds significantly increase the risk of slips, flooding, tree falls, and windblown debris. 

Drivers must be ready for wind gusts in exposed areas, such as SH1 Transmission Gully and SH2 Remutaka Hill. This particularly applies to drivers of  trucks, vans, campervans, towing and light vehicles, and motorcyclists.

Road crews are monitoring the network and will respond to incidents as they occur. Please observe  all traffic management and speed limits at sites where they may be working. 

The  bad weather will coincide with peak commuter traffic this afternoon. Commuters must take this into account and drive accordingly. Reduce speed, increase following distances, avoid sudden braking, and use headlights if visibility is poor.  Be safe, be seen, and make sure you reach your destination safely.

While all state highways across the region are currently open, the bad weather means there is  potential for road closures to happen at short notice. Road users should check road and weather conditions before they travel. Updates will be provided if the situation changes.

• Highway conditions - Wellington(external link)
• Metservice weather warnings(external link)
• Driving in bad weather(external link)

Wednesday 30 April:

Wellington drivers will need be keeping a close eye on their driving with bad weather forecast for the region later today and the rest of the week.

The Metservice has issued a Heavy Rain Watch and a Strong Wind warning for both Wellington and Wairarapa. They apply from later today (Wednesday) and run into Thursday. Rain warnings apply in Wellington until Friday afternoon.

Heavy rain increases the risk of slips, tree falls, localised flooding. It also creates slippery driving conditions.

Road users should also be prepared for strong winds, with severe south-west gales forecast. 

Drivers of high-sided vehicles (eg trucks, vans, campervans), light vehicles, towing vehicles, or motorcycles must be ready for wind hazards - especially on exposed routes like State Highway 2 Remutaka Hill and the  Wainui Saddle on State Highway 1 Transmission Gully.

The bad weather will coincide with peak commuting periods on Thursday. It is essential road users drive to the conditions - reduce speed, increase following distances, and use headlights if visibility is poor. 

People travelling to the South Island should also be prepared for bad weather driving conditions. There is a Strong Wind Watch in place for the Marlborough Sounds from tonight, and a Strong Wind Warning for coastal Marlborough tomorrow (Thursday). More bad weather is also expected further south as well:

• First snow in Canterbury - Arthur’s Pass and Burkes Pass to Twizel, heavy rain and wind warnings could affect driving conditions