High winds have blown over a campervan on a Southland road this afternoon, after fog caused flight and ferry disruptions in Auckland earlier today.
Night time enhanced satellite image of fog and low cloud over the North Island on 5 August. Photo: MetService
MetService has warned heavy wind and rain could strike much of the South Island today.
Northwest gales have been forecast for the lower South Island including Dunedin and North Otago from early Friday morning to Friday night.
The high winds have been affecting motorists in Southland, police said, with a campervan blown over and a truck rolling.
The campervan has blown over on the Mossburn-Five Rivers Road at about 2pm today due to gale-force winds.
The two occupants were unharmed.
A truck has rolled over near the intersection of Hillas Road and Mossburn-Five Rivers Road around the same time. The driver of the truck was not injured.
The intersection where the truck rolled, is partially blocked and may remain affected for some time until the winds subside and the truck can be removed with tow wagons, a police spokesperson said.
Motorists, especially those with high-sided vehicles, were advised to exercise extreme caution while driving in the area today or avoid driving at all, if possible.
MetService said severe gales with gusts up to 160km/h were expected in the Canterbury High Country.
Canterbury Regional Council has warned that high flows are again expected in the Ashburton River tomorrow and overflows are possible.
The ranges of Marlborough and Wellington could expect strong winds from Friday night through to Saturday 3pm and strong winds for Wairarapa south of Carterton were expected early Saturday morning to early Sunday morning.
Heavy rain was expected in Fiordland from late-morning, in Westland and the Southern Lakes from Friday afternoon and in the Canterbury High Country Friday night.
Auckland was covered in mist for a second consecutive day, bringing flight cancellations and ferry delays for commuters.
This morning Air New Zealand said 20 regional flights had been cancelled so far due to poor visibility for the aircraft.
The West Harbour, Hobsonville, and Beachaven ferry services had been delayed by 30 minutes and Pine Harbour ferries were also expecting delays.