New Zealand

Freezing Friday: What you need to know

10:55 am on 14 July 2017

Much of the North Island is in for cold, wet or snowy weather as the three-day storm continues to cause disruption.

Flooding on the way to Martinborough. Photo: RNZ / Jacob McSweeny

Look at RNZ's live coverage and read more here.

Forecast

Check the latest severe weather information here

Heavy rain warning: Wairarapa including the Tararua District, Wellington, Kapiti and the ranges of Manawatu

Snow warning: Central North Island high country, including higher parts of Hawkes Bay and Manawatu.

Strong wind warning: Wellington and Marlborough Sounds, Taranaki and Wairarapa

To share pictures of the weather where you are, email to: iwitness@radionz.co.nz

Roads

North Island closures

Roads on the Central Plateau: SH46, 47, 49 and SH1 (Desert Road) around the mountains.

SH5 Napier-Taupō Road - snow

SH4 Raetihi to Whanganui - snow

SH1 to Hunterville - to snow

SH56 at Opiki - flooding at the bridge across Manawatu River

SH53 Featherston-Martinborough closed due to flooding of the Waihenga Bridge. The only detour is via Western Lake Rd

SH38 Lake Road through Te Urewera from Aniwaniwa to Murapara

South Island

Lewis Pass (SH7) is closed because of a truck crash.

Other passes are open but chains are required

Power cuts

Power is out to around 10,000 homes in the central and lower North Island.

Lower North Island

The Moutoa floodgates were opened early this morning to divert water from the Manawatu River.

Wellington

Large slips are blocking or partially blocking several Wellington roads after 190mm of rain in 24 hours:

  • Both lanes on the top of Wadestown Road.
  • Both lanes at the corner of Fortification Road and Nakora Road, Seatoun Heights.
  • Melrose Road covering footpath and part road, very large boulder on road on the bend.
  • Rangiora Avenue, Khandallah, covering both lanes.
  • Manchester Street, Melrose. The slip appears to have broken a gas line. PowerCo contractors are on site to fix the leak.

Ferries

Cook Strait sailings were expected to resume today after being suspended due to huge waves and rough conditions.