MetService National weather: July 21st - 23rd Video / MetService
Severe weather in Auckland cancelled a number of train services and slowed traffic on most motorway routes across the city ahead of the rush hour.
Auckland Transport said delays and cancellations were expected on many bus and train services throughout the city's peak travel period this evening.
Due to the severe weather causing flooding and other incidents across Auckland, we are expecting very heavy traffic congestion network wide. This will result in delays and cancellations to many bus and train services throughout this evenings' peak travel. pic.twitter.com/NmcJJ38ayA
— Auckland Transport Travel Alerts (@AT_TravelAlerts) July 21, 2021
The rain had cancelled train services on the Western line and Onehunga line, but by 6pm both services were back up and running.
The cancellations on the Western and Onehunga lines had impacted other lines as well, including causing delays.
Southern and Eastern Line were experiencing 10-20 minute delays with cancellations possible, Auckland Transport said.
Auckland Transport said there was flooding at George St, between Mt Eden and Kingsland and at Maurice Rd on the Onehunga Line.
Scheduled buses would accept rail tickets, Auckland Transport said.
Western trains between Kingsland and Britomart in both directions are cancelled due to Severe Weather impacting the rail line. Scheduled buses will accept rail tickets. Updates will follow as details become available. pic.twitter.com/8YrYSgSnQX
— Auckland Transport Travel Alerts (@AT_TravelAlerts) July 21, 2021
The heavy afternoon showers in Auckland are paired with strong northerlies in exposed places in Auckland.
Further heavy showers are possible tomorrow before clearing in the afternoon as the northwesterly wind switches to southwesterly.
The wet weather is slowing traffic on most routes across Auckland's motorway ahead of rush hour, NZTA said.
Auckland's motorways are heavy this afternoon with wet weather slowing traffic on most routes. Please slow down, keep your lights on, increase your following distance and allow extra time during this evenings peak travel period. ^TP pic.twitter.com/glQdmnQZb7
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) July 21, 2021
The agency urged drivers to slow down, keep their lights on and increase their following distance behind other vehicles.
A number of MetService-issued weather warnings are dotted around the country.
Heavy rain watches, warning residents of periods of heavy rain, have been issued for the Bay of Plenty for 12 hours from 9pm tonight, and for Mount Taranaki until 7am tomorrow morning.
More rain was forecast on the flood-hit West Coast in the South Island, where last week's one-in-100-year storm submerged roads and fields, damaged houses, and forced hundreds of people to evacuate their homes.
MetService said a front would move across the country late on Wednesday and early Thursday, bringing a brief burst of heavy northerly rain to western and northern areas.
The South Island's Heaphy Track was closed and the Queen Charlotte track was only partially open due to damage from last weekend's heavy rain.
The rainfall could lead to more slips on the West Coast and Marlborough as the soil is still sodden from flooding on the weekend.
A heavy rain watch is also in force for Buller and the ranges of Westland, with thunderstorms possible amid periods of heavy rain.
Westport on the South Island's West Coast was completely flooded, with many residents left without homes. Photo / George Heard
Up to 70mm of rain was expected with peak hourly rates of between 15-25mm. Yesterday around 100 people remained in evacuation centres in Buller as homes in the region were assessed for damage.
Buller mayor Jamie Cleine said around 22 homes in his district were "red stickered" yesterday - meaning their occupants couldn't return home to live before repair work was done.
