Motorists are being urged to take care driving over the Harbour Bridge this morning. Photo / NZTA
Motorists heading over the Auckland Harbour Bridge this morning are being warned to take extra care due to strong wind gusts whipping through the area.
Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland issued the warning about intermittent wind gusts at 6.40am, saying those in high-sided vehicles and motorcycles especially needed to be vigilant.
"Please obey speed signs and maintain a safe following distance," the statement said.
It comes as a risk of thunderstorms hover over the western and northern parts of the North Island this morning and early this afternoon, including Auckland down to Taranaki and across the Coromandel and Western Bay of Plenty areas.
MetService shift meteorologist Ashlee Parkes said some of the showers forecast for the northern and western areas maybe heavy, possibly thundery with some hail.
"Sometimes with these heavier beefy showers or thunderstorms you can get stronger winds embedded within the shower, so I think there is a risk of slightly stronger winds within some of these showers for some areas."
Meanwhile Buller, Marlborough, Westland and Canterbury would get some showers this morning before clearing this evening.
The temperatures were average for this time of year, with Auckland, Tauranga, Taupō, New Plymouth and Palmerston North all reaching a high of 14C.
Both Christchurch and Alexandra were in for some light frosts overnight, as the temperature dipped to -1C.
The father and his three children were spotted in the Marokopa bush last month.