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A trough of low pressure brings the possibility of thunderstorms to the North Island.
Auckland faces a wet Wednesday rush hour, with a crash on State Highway 1 causing delays.
The rail network is also facing delays and cancellations after the train service between Hamilton and Auckland broke down near the CBD.
More bad news has hit Auckland commuters during a wet Wednesday rush hour, after the train service to Hamilton broke down on the track near the CBD.
In an alert shortly before 6.30pm, Auckland Transport (AT) said the Te Huia train had broken down between Waitematā Station (Britomart) and Ōrākei Station, causing a string of delays and cancellations on the rail network.
AT said due to additional trains on the track between Newmarket and Penrose “as a knock-on effect”, the Onehunga Line has been suspended.
Te Huia runs daily services between Hamilton and Auckland, and is an approximate two-and-a-half hour journey.
The Te Huia train service between Hamilton and Auckland broke down this afternoon causing delays and cancellations on Auckland's rail network.
It comes as a trough of low pressure is moving over the North Island, bringing the possibility of thunderstorms.
“The North Island has seen some pockets of heavier rain on Wednesday, with a few more showers expected across the top half this afternoon and evening,” MetService said.
The forecaster says there is a low risk of thunderstorms for Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula and Bay of Plenty this afternoon and evening.
Already there’s been a rush-hour crash on State Highway 1. NZ Transport Agency said this occurred on the Northern Motorway around 5.15pm.
“A crash is partially blocking the right southbound lane after Constellation Dr on-ramp. Pass with care and expect delays until cleared,” it posted to X.
In an update, it said this crash had been moved clear of the lanes around 5.50pm.
Earlier this afternoon, debris in the lanes was slowing southbound traffic on SH1 between Redoubt Rd and Hill Rd. This was removed at 5.10pm.
SH1 NORTHERN MWY - 5:15PM A crash is partially blocking the right southbound lane after Constellation Dr on-ramp. Pass with care and expect delays until cleared. ^ND pic.twitter.com/D7TH73Euzm
— NZ Transport Agency - Auckland & Northland (@nztaaklnth) March 19, 2025
MetService attributes the wet weather to a complex trough of low pressure moving northeast over the North Island. An upper cold pool – a cold pocket of dense air – is also moving northeast over the island.
Meanwhile, a persistent south-easterly flow is forecast to bring a period of heavy rain to the eastern North Island on Thursday.
A yellow heavy rain watch is set to come into effect for 16 hours for southern Gisborne/Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay’s Wairoa District from 8am tomorrow.
A period of heavy rain is expected, with amounts possibly approaching warning criteria.
“Rain jackets at the ready, eastern North Island! Thursday looks set to be a wet one for Wairoa District in Hawke’s Bay and the Gisborne region,” MetService said.
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