Photos / George Heard
Photos / George Heard
Statement from Interislander:
We regret to advise that due to large and increasing swells and deteriorating conditions today through to Friday the following changes have been made to Interislander sailings:
Customers impacted by these changes will be contacted directly. We apologise for any inconvenience. Safety is our priority in these situations.
Customers can call us on 0800 802 802 if they want to change their booking or have other questions. Our call centre is open between 8:00AM and 5:00PM, Monday – Sunday. Fare conditions and availability apply.
The Auckland Harbour Bridge will be set at four lanes in each direction ahead of this evening's rush hour due to the predicted strong wind gusts.
Thousands of lightning strikes have lit up the skies across New Zealand today as electrical storms swept up the country.
MetService says over the past 24 hours some 1866 strikes have been recorded in the North Island and 2506 bolts in the south.
Wind gusts of 100 km/h are currently being recorded on Auckland's harbour bridge, according to MetService.
The forecaster is measuring southwest gales of 67 km/h through the area with gusts blowing some 30km/h higher.
Severe wind gusts have struck and the Harbour Bridge is currently operating with two lanes in each direction.
Auckland mayor Wayne Brown has put out a precautionary warning to Aucklanders ahead of this afternoon’s adverse weather.
He said it was a typical wet winters day for the city but if winds were to intensify then trees could come down.
Brown is reminding people to secure any loose outdoor items.
“My advice is to follow forecasts throughout the day and, if you’re out and about, drive to the conditions and remember, never drive through flooding. Take care out there over the next few days.”
Waka Kotahi is warning Aucklanders the Harbour Bridge could be fully closed for periods this afternoon.
Speed and lane reductions will be in force on the Harbour Bridge between midday and 6pm.
Temporary full closure of the bridge may be required.
Coastal communities in the lower North Island are being encouraged to keep an eye on the weather with high swells forecast.
A Heavy Swell Warning is in place for Wairarapa from 11pm Wednesday, with swells potentially reaching 4 to 4.5 metres.
MetService says the highest risk period is typically at or within 1-2 hours of high tide, which is around 5.45am Thursday.
Meteorologist John Law said when combined with high tide the swell could reach 5.5 to 6 metres.
Those waves wouldn't be so high in nearby Wellington, but Law said people living around the exposed southern coast should still keep an eye on forecasts.
"As we go through the afternoon today for Wednesday, through towards the first half of Thursday, those swells will be picking up to around 4 metres around the coast. How much of that gets into Wellington harbour is a lot less."
He said it'd be similar in Cook Strait with swells between 4 and 5 metres, but said with strong southerly's fuelling the swells it's sure to make for an 'interesting crossing' for anyone catching a ferry.
And Law said it's not just sea travel facing disruption in the lower North, with the possibility of snow on the Remutaka Hill.
He said temperatures are set to plummet tonight so it wouldn't be out of the question to see snow settle on the road.