Bluebridge has cancelled ferry sailings for today and tomorrow because of worsening weather in Cook Strait. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Bluebridge has cancelled ferry sailings for today and tomorrow because of worsening weather in Cook Strait. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Passenger ferry sailings across Cook Strait have been cancelled today and tomorrow, as waves of up to 5 metres have been forecast.
Both Interislander and Bluebridge have cancelled sailings due to the deteriorating weather and sea conditions.
Bluebridge said large swells were expected from this morning through until midday tomorrow. The company has cancelled 10 sailings between Wellington and Picton, with affected customers advised by email and text.
“We appreciate that a lot of people are travelling with us during these school holidays, and this weather-related disruption has impacted many of our customers’ travel plans,” Bluebridge said.
“While we are heavily booked, our teams will do their best to find alternative sailing options.
“If you’d prefer to cancel your booking, the email sent to you includes a link to the refund request form.”
Large swells are forecast for Cook Strait over the next two days. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Interislander’s General Manager Operations Duncan Roy said they had also cancelled sailings until Wednesday afternoon, with waves expected to be around 4 to 5 metres.
He said the Kaiarahi was expected to return to service tomorrow, however due to the weather she would run freight-only, and departure times could vary from what was scheduled.
Aucklanders experienced brief downpours around parts of the city overnight and MetService said there were 23 lightning strikes recorded.
More rain is forecast for the majority of the North Island today and some chilly temperatures further south will keep the jackets on today.
‘Significant frosts’
Just after 8am, the weather authority reported a teeth-chattering -5.9C at Aoraki Mt Cook. Those in Dunedin are dealing with a cold 2.4C morning - a marked difference from the 20.1C the same city recorded last Wednesday morning.
In the Mackenzie Country, significant frosts were reported early this morning and a temperature of almost -6C.
The Mackenzie Country Weather NZ Facebook page said: “As we mentioned last night, we expected good frosts this morning and it sure is a bone-chiller outside!”
Mt Cook Village recorded a temperature of -5.5C, Lake Tekapo around -5C and Twizel -4C - although, the latter two areas were expected to get colder.
🌄Ata mārie!
⛈ Brief downpours in Auckland overnight & 23 lightning strikes.
☔ More rain today for Te Ika-a-Māui/the North Island.
🥶 Meanwhile, it's -5.9°C at Aoraki Mount Cook; Dunedin has 2.4°C, compared to their 20.1°C at 7am last Wednesday (yes today is Tuesday!) pic.twitter.com/jCVdtYNLOj
MetService is forecasting heavy rain and severe gales for the capital today, with strong southerly gales gusting 120km/h in exposed places. Rain is set to become more persistent this afternoon.
A strong wind warning and heavy rain watch are in force.
A strong wind warning is in place for coastal Marlborough north of Clarence, the Marlborough Sounds and Wellington and is in place until 4am tomorrow.
“Expect severe southerly gales, gusting 120km/h in exposed places,” MetService said.
A heavy rain watch is in place in the Wairarapa and the eastern hills of Wellington from 4am until 5pm today, when periods of heavy rain and amounts may approach warning criteria.
Meanwhile, a strong wind watch is in force for Kapiti south of Ōtaki and Wairarapa south of Carteton, from 6am today until 5am tomorrow.
