A wind warning is in place for the Auckland Harbour Bridge as forecast wind gusts threaten to close lanes - and some motorists are urged to avoid the bridge altogether.
A strong southwest flow is expected to develop over New Zealand on Wednesday and Thursday and strong wind watches are in place for parts of the country.
From 1am to 11am on Wednesday, wind gusts are expected to reach 70km/h to 85km/h and the Auckland Harbour Bridge will be under an amber alert.
MetService has also issued a strong wind watch for the same time period. This watch covers Northland south of Kawakawa, Auckland including Great Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula, and Waikato north of Huntly. The forecaster warned southwest winds may approach severe gales in exposed places.
Under Waka Kotahi's amber alert for the Auckland Harbour Bridge, speeds may be reduced and some lanes may close.
Waka Kotahi said the bridge will remain in a 4x4 configuration during peak hours on Wednesday morning, unless the wind warning is downgraded.
"Motorists are urged to drive to the conditions, look out for the electronic message boards which will indicate lane closures and reduced speeds, and stay within their lane while travelling across the bridge," Waka Kotahi said.
"Drivers of high-sided vehicles and motorcyclists are advised to avoid the Auckland Harbour Bridge and use the western ring route on State Highways 16 and 18."
There are further strong wind watches for other parts of the country. These are:
- Coastal areas from Tokomaru Bay to Wairoa: 7am to 7pm on Wednesday
- Dunedin and north Otago: 6am to 3pm on Thursday
- Clutha and Southland south of Lumsden, including Stewart Island: 11pm on Wednesday to 1pm on Thursday.
A cold front sweeping up the South Island on Tuesday and the lower North Island on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning is forecast to bring snow to the higher passes, including the Desert Road, for a time.
MetService said this cold front marks the onset of large, long-period southwest swells for our coast, especially in the south and west.
