Queen's Birthday weekend brings chilly weather in Tauranga

Wrap up warm this weekend. Photo / File

Tauranga people are being urged to wrap up warm and drive safe over Queen's Birthday weekend, as the seasonal change is set to bring rain, gusty winds and chilly temperatures.

Niwa meteorologist Ben Noll said the weather transitioning from autumn to winter was being called a "seamless seasonal segway," as a strong low front conjured up "active and energetic" weather across the country.

After an abnormally warm May, Mother Nature was now out to "play ball" as the winter chill set in, he said.

The Bay of Plenty, however, was relatively sheltered and would fare far better than Christchurch or Wellington, which would bear the full brunt of the seasonal change.

In Tauranga, showers paired with gusty winds would sweep a chill over the city on Saturday.

While it would be sunny on Sunday and Monday, the chill would endure as the temperature plummeted and winds whipped through the air, causing "wind chill".

Inspector Brent Crowe, Bay of Plenty Road Policing Manager said as winter driving conditions set in, police were reminding all road users to drive to the conditions and take extra care.

He said there are a few extra steps people could take to ensure they were safe on the roads, especially when it is raining.

"Firstly, if it's wet enough to put your wipers on, put your headlights on as well, for the benefit of you and other drivers."

He also urged drivers to slow down.

"It will reduce braking and reaction time required and gives you a better chance of retaining full control of your vehicle should an emergency situation arise."

Crowe encouraged drivers to keep a safe distance to the vehicle in front, as drivers need more stopping distance when it's wet.

"And of course, every time you get in a vehicle, rain or shine, don't forget to buckle up."

He said police would be out on the highways over the Queen's Birthday weekend monitoring driver behaviour so urged people to drive in a responsible manner and take breaks on long trips.

"Everyone has a role to play in keeping our roads safe."

Meanwhile, Water Safety New Zealand called for people to take extra care around rivers and waterways.

"Anyone heading out into the outdoors for a walk, a hike, to hunt or to fish needs to be careful around rivers and other waterways" Water Safety New Zealand chief executive Jonty Mills said.

He said rivers running at high levels were extremely changeable, unpredictable and dangerous.

"Rivers generally account for a third of all preventable drownings and last year the deadliest activity was accidental immersion."

Weather forecast

Today 18C high, 9C overnight
Rain developing morning, turning to occasional showers, all with possible squally thunderstorms and hail. Northwesterlies

Tomorrow 14C high, 5C overnight
A few showers. Westerlies.

Sunday
14C high, 4C overnight
Becoming fine early. Southwesterlies dying out

Monday
15C high, 7C overnight
Fine, evening cloud. Westerly breezes.
Source: MetService

Traffic hotspots

State Highway 29 - Kaimai
Today 1pm to 7.30pm eastbound, 3pm to 5.30pm westbound
Saturday - 9.30am to 5pm eastbound
Sunday - 3pm to 5pm westbound
Monday - 9.30am to 5pm westbound

State Highway 2 - Tauranga and Katikati
Today - 12pm to 6pm eastbound, 12pm to 7.30pm westbound
Saturday - 10am to 2.30pm eastbound
Monday - 10.30am to 4pm westbound