Wilson St in Pahīatua was flooded this morning after a night of heavy rain. Video / Supplied
A rescue mission was under way after 30 vehicles became trapped at the top of a Canterbury mountain due to heavy snowfall.
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) spokesman said one crew from Springfield took a four-wheel-drive up Porters Pass to assist police and roading crews in clearing the road after vehicles became stuck.
“Getting there was the hardest part,” they said.
The NZ Transport AgencyWaka Kotahi (NZTA) website said State Highway 73 had closed from Springfield to Castle Hill due to heavy snowfall. A further area warning was in place on SH73 from Ōtira to Castle Hill which read, “Due to snow, no towing and chains essential, drive with care.”
CANTERBURY & WEST COAST – SNOW – UPDATE 2:30PM CLOSED • SH73 Springfield to Castle Hill • SH7 Hamner Springs to Springs Jct (Lewis Pass) OPEN W/RESTRICTIONS • SH73 Castle Hill to Otira - Now towing and chains essential https://t.co/Ooy9Db7Kx9pic.twitter.com/1jjE0aK8gZ
— NZ Transport Agency - Canterbury & West Coast (@nztacwc) August 18, 2024
SH7 from Hanmer Springs to Springs Junction remains open with restrictions.
It comes as a polar blast lashing the country is expected to bring more adverse weather conditions, including snow, hail, rain and strong winds tomorrow.
Forecasters are warning a polar air mass will continue to spread up the South Island and lower North Island on Monday, bringing showers, snow and hail.
“In places like Central Otago, Southland, Clutha and Fiordland, there will be frequent showers and some of the showers could have the potential to generate heavy snow around 400m,” said MetService meteorologist Josh Griffin.
“Temperatures were forecast to reach single digits in places such as Invercargill and Southland.
MetService said there was a moderate risk of thunderstorms for coastal parts of Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Waitomo before noon on Monday as the front crosses the upper North Island.
Fenz said only a certain number of vehicles were getting through the snow.
Heavy snow on State Highway 73 at Porters Pass closed the road, trapping a number of trucks and cars about midday.
“We are asking people to stay away from the area and not travel unless absolutely necessary.”
Police said there was a report of a crash on West Coast Rd, Springfield involving a car towing a boat about 11.45am.
“A number of other vehicles were reported to be stuck in the area. Contractors were heading up with equipment and it looks like several cars have been released.”
Vehicles had also become stuck outside of Arthur’s Pass heading towards Christchurch and Fenz crews were responding to assist.
Shortly before 5pm, police urged Canterbury motorists to consider delaying unnecessary travel as poor conditions struck the region.
“Anyone who has to travel is urged to ensure they are doing so with the appropriate equipment, such as snow chains.
“If you are out on the roads, please keep your headlights on, slow down, make sure you are observing a cautious following distance, and put any distractions away.”
According to NZTA’s website, the Pahīatua Track was forced to close due to fallen trees and slips, but has since reopened.
In a statement shortly after 5pm, Horizons Regional Council said it was on standby to operate the Moutoa floodgates due to rainfall in the region.
Horizons incident controller Sarah Carswell said river levels showed the Manawatū River could reach operating range for the gates on Monday morning.
“The amount of rainfall in the Manawatū River catchment since Saturday night, as well as rain forecast to come during Sunday night, indicates a gate operation may be necessary.”
Heavy rain has caused the town of Pahīatua near Palmerston North to flood.
Residential streets in Pahīatua were flooded due to the heavy rain.
Carswell said upgrade work had been under way on the Moutoa floodgates recently, but they remained operable.
“The operation will require traffic management on the road above the gates, so anyone travelling through the area should keep this in mind.
There is a risk multiple areas will see “localised heavy rain” and winds up to 110km/h.
NZTA also advised that due to strong wind gusts, reduced speed limits were in place on the Auckland Harbour Bridge. Lane reductions may be required and caution was advised, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.
The wild weather has also disrupted the travel plans of some air passengers this afternoon.
Flight NZ600 has diverted to Christchurch due to the weather in Wellington. Air New Zealand said the flight will refuel in Christchurch and is rescheduled to depart for Wellington again later this afternoon.
MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said 40 to 60mm of rain has fallen already today, and more is due this afternoon.
Keep an eye on the skies today where thunderstorms could be in the mix🌩️
For Northland, Auckland, Waikato, and the Bay of Plenty, they might bring some gusty winds💨 pic.twitter.com/eDtAEQWU6P
This is due to a rain band that is sweeping up the country from the east.
Makgabutlane said there are a “number of fronts that are in play and are bringing wild weather to various areas”.
She said a rain band sitting off the east of the country will move over at around midday, bringing thunderstorms, heavy rain and gusty winds to much of the North Island.
For Northland, Auckland, Waikato, the Coromandel Peninsula, western Bay of Plenty (including Rotorua), and general western districts from around Raglan to Kāpiti, as well as the eastern Bay of Plenty, there is a persistent moderate chance of thunderstorms into the early evening.
Additionally, there is a chance a few thunderstorms in the areas of Northland, Auckland, Waikato, the Coromandel Peninsula and the Western Bay of Plenty might become severe with dangerous wind gusts exceeding 110km/h.
The Tararua Range is under a heavy rain warning which is due to end at 10pm. MetService is reporting 60 to 90mm of rain will fall on top of what has already fallen.
Further south, a heavy rain watch came into force for Wellington at 1pm today. MetService is warning residents thunderstorms “are possible” and rain amounts may reach “warning criteria”.
While most regions across the country have been battered by rain, wind or snow today, the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) reported Whakatū, Hawke’s Bay set a new August temperature record, reaching 24.6C. Records for the area date back to the 1930s.
🌡️ Whakatu, Hawke's Bay has set a new August temperature record of 24.6˚C. That's a typical maximum temperature in February! Records there date back to 1930.
Less than 600 km to the south, Cass, Canterbury, has only managed to reach 2.5˚C today! pic.twitter.com/luxD11VYa7
