Weather: Auckland Harbour Bridge wind warning, snow warnings for North and South Island highways
Strong winds could affect travel over the Auckland Harbour Bridge during peak afternoon and evening traffic, the NZ Transport Agency says.
The warning comes after snow temporarily closed two major highways in the South Island this morning, with more snow expected to impact highways in both islands today and tomorrow.
SH3 where it intersects with Te Kumi Station Rd is also blocked northbound after weather conditions led to trees falling, with motorists warned of delays, police said early this afternoon.
NZTA has warned winds gusting up to 80km/h are forecast between 3pm and 7pm in the Auckland Harbour Bridge area.
“Strong winds may impact travel over the Auckland Harbour Bridge this afternoon and into the evening peak ... motorists are advised to drive to the conditions and pay attention to electronic message boards on the motorway, which will advise of any lane closures and reduced speed limits.
“If there is potential for sudden and high wind gusts on the bridge, lowering the speed limit gives motorists time to react and take more care.”
This morning, a late-spring South Island weather switcheroo replaced the high temperatures of earlier this week with snow. Thunderstorms and small hail were also possible for parts of both islands today, MetService said.
Sections of State Highway 7 in the Lewis Pass and SH73 in Arthur’s Pass were closed by snow, but have now reopened, the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) said at 11.30am.
More snow was expected in the Lewis Pass today, with MetService also issuing road snowfall warnings for the Crown Range Rd between Queenstown and Wānaka today, and the North Island’s Desert Rd early tomorrow.
“People are ... urged to take care driving on roads that are open but also affected by snow.”
Caravan obliterated in multi-vehicle crash
SH7 south of Hanmer Springs was closed for more than two hours yesterday after a multi-vehicle crash scattered the remains of a caravan across both lanes, with witnesses saying three vehicles were left upside down.
Minor injuries were reported in the crash, which also involved a Jaguar car.
Road snowfall warnings for Arthur’s Pass and SH8 through the Lindis Pass ended this morning, but a fresh warning for SH7 in the Lewis Pass is from 5pm to 10pm.
“Another period of snow showers is expected Friday evening, and a further 1 to 2cm may accumulate above 700 metres.”
The Crown Range Rd warning is for possible snow showers until this evening, but little accumulation beyond 1cm above 600m, MetService said.
Snow showers are forecast for higher parts of the Desert Rd in the North Island from late tonight.
“However, snow is not expected to settle until early Saturday, when 1cm may accumulate about the summit and lesser amounts down to 800m.”
Bands of rain and showers around today with thunderstorms and small hail possible for the northwestern South Island this morning and then southern North Island and northeastern South Island this afternoon.
— MetService NZ (@MetService) October 29, 2026
You can see below that we’ve already seen some lightning strikes… pic.twitter.com/1I7FaG0LhJ
Meanwhile, thunderstorms and small hail are possible for the southern North Island and northeastern South Island this afternoon, MetService wrote on X.
“You can see below that we’ve already seen some lightning strikes,” it wrote above an image of the rain radar and lightning at 6.39am.
Strong wind watches have been issued for the Tasman district around and northwest of Motueka until 9pm tonight, and this afternoon and evening in Hawke’s Bay south of Hastings and in the Tararua district.
There was a moderate chance of the watches being upgraded to warnings in both places, MetService said.
Parts of Canterbury were struck yesterday by large hail, lightning and a tornado, with stunned onlookers capturing the twister touching down in rural areas near Rakaia and Methven.