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Northland is expected to suffer a deluge tonight while heavy rain has caused road surface flooding in Taranaki and a slip has closed the road around the East Cape as motorists face difficult conditions around the country this Queen's Birthday weekend.
State Highway 45, the coastal highway between Okato and Rahotu, to the west of Mt Taranaki, reopened this evening after it closed as Taranaki police reported water reaching half way up the doors of their cars.
However, on the East Coast, a slip closed SH35 at Hicks Bay 5km west of Wharf Rd about 6pm today. There was no detour available.
In the Bay of Plenty and around the Tongariro and Egmont national parks heavy rain was expected this evening.
In the South Island winter conditions meant motorists were advised to watch for ice in shaded areas, bridge decks and to carry chains when travelling the alpine passes.
Chains were essential on the Crown Range.
Heavy rain was predicted to hit the top of the country tonight, making driving conditions difficult.
The MetService said isolated thunderstorms were expected to spread onto Northland tonight and then clear tomorrow morning.
Some thunderstorms could be severe with potentially damaging wind gusts of more than 110km/h.
Localised heavy rain up to 25mm/hr is also likely to accompany any of these thunderstorms and there is a slight risk of one or two small tornadoes, said forecaster Andy Downs.
"These wind gusts could cause structural damage, including to trees and power lines, and may make driving hazardous. If any tornados occur, they will only affect very localised areas."
Driving conditions would also be hazardous with surface flooding and poor visibility in heavy rain.
However, police around the country reported few problems on the roads today.
Only one person has been killed on the roads so far this holiday weekend.
A female passenger died after the car she was in crashed near Tokomaru, Bay north of Gisborne, just before 6am, police said.
- NZPA
