Snow warning for Rimutaka Hill

Motorists are being warned of snow on the Rimutaka Hill outside of Wellington and the Manawatu Gorge.

Police at the Wellington communications centre said they have received reports of snow in the area and are urging motorists to use caution.

Police have said there is flooding on State Highway One, north of Bulls as well as high winds on State Highway 1 between Sanson and Foxton and in the Ashurst area.

Meanwhile MetService is warning Aucklanders, and people of the Waikato and Coromandel that thunderstorms could hit the area this afternoon and early evening.

Wind gusts of up to 120km an hour could also batter the region and could damage trees and bring down power poles.

Earlier today MetService issued warnings of heavy rain and snow as well as wind gusts of up to 100km an hour which were expected in the central and southern North Island today.

MetService has issued severe weather warnings for the Waikato, Taranaki, the Bay of Plenty and Taupo, as a deepening low over the Tasman Sea moves north and heavy rain moves in.

Heavy rain is expected around the ranges of Wanganui with up to 80mm expected. High levels of rain are also expected in Taihape, Manawatu, Wellington and the Wairarapa.

Parts of Wellington, the Wairarapa and the Manawatu could also see snow down to 400 metres.

Meanwhile strong easterly winds of up to 100km an hour are set to batter Westland, Buller and the Kapiti Coast.

MetService is warning of more snow further south, with dumps expected in Nelson, Marlborough and North Canterbury.

Farmers have also been warned to move vulnerable stock to sheltered areas.

- NZHERALD STAFF