Roads to reopen in Whangārei, strong winds for Hawke's Bay, Tasman and Southland

Heavy rain is affecting the upper North Island, with forecasts indicating continued rainfall through Saturday night. The MetService has issued heavy rain watches for Northland, Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula, and the Bay of Plenty, with the likelihood of these conditions escalating to warnings in most areas, particularly east of the Rangitaiki River in the Bay of Plenty. Residents are urged to ensure their drainage systems are clear to mitigate potential impacts of the downpours. In the South Island, avalanche risks persist despite MetService lifting all warnings for the region. The NZ Avalanche Advisory maintains alerts for multiple areas including Arthur’s Pass, Aoraki Mt Cook, Ohau, Queenstown, Wānaka, and Aspiring. A high warning is in effect for Aoraki Mt Cook, while other regions face considerable orange warnings, with Queenstown under a moderate yellow warning. Officials warn that significant avalanches have been reported, urging caution for individuals venturing into alpine and subalpine regions. The Mountain Safety Council’s chief executive, Mike Daisley, emphasizes the importance of checking avalanche forecasts prior to such activities. The city of Queenstown continues to recover from recent severe weather that led to flooding, landslides, and road closures. Forty-five residents were evacuated during the storm, and firefighters responded to over 16 incidents related to flooding. Mayor John Glover expressed hope that residents can return to their homes soon, though he noted that assessments are ongoing. The Civil Defence Welfare Hub remains operational, providing support to affected communities. Multiple roads within the Queenstown area have remained closed, contributing to significant traffic congestion, with some residents reporting travel times exceeding an hour and a half to reach the town center. Further complications arose when two vehicles and their occupants were stranded between landslips on State Highway 6 near Wānaka. The section of SH6 remains closed throughout the weekend, according to NZTA. Additionally, residents in Fernhill, Sunshine Bay, and other nearby areas have been advised to conserve water due to ongoing disruptions. Over 20 landslips have been recorded along the route between Lake Hāwea and Makarora, highlighting the severity of the situation. Meanwhile, the Milford to Te Anau Road has been closed due to avalanche risks, with snow expected to fall in several locations across the southern South Island. MetService has issued road snowfall warnings for the Crown Range Road, Lindis Pass, and Arthur’s Pass. Strong wind warnings are also in place for Hawke’s Bay, with gusts potentially reaching 120 kilometers per hour. In Whangārei, heavy rain caused road closures, but the region is expected to see improved conditions by Sunday. Despite initial concerns, the impact of the downpours has been described as relatively minor, with all closed roads set to reopen by the day. Civil Defence officials confirmed that a slip occurred at a residence on Queen Street in Russell, though the occupants opted to remain inside overnight. Fire and Emergency crews responded to the incident while handling other calls. As the weather system moves east, MetService warns of further challenges for residents in Hawke’s Bay, Tararua, and parts of the South Island, advising them to prepare for strong winds. Additional snowfall warnings have been issued for Otago, with road closures anticipated on State Highway 94 due to avalanche risks. These developments underscore the ongoing challenges faced by communities across both islands as they navigate the aftermath of recent extreme weather events.