Snow closed a South Island pass overnight and high winds are affecting a North Island highway as stormy weather hits parts of the country.
The Lewis Pass (State Highway 7) between the Hanmer Turnoff and Springs Junction re-opened this morning after snow had closed it from 1am.
In the central North Island, the Napier-Taupo Road (SH5) from Te Pōhue to Tarawera is closed to high-sided vehicles, campervans, and motorcycles due to strong winds.
The Transport Agency said all other vehicles are advised to take extra care while travelling through the area.
SH5 TE POHUE TO TARAWERA, HAWKE'S BAY - STRONG WINDS - 7AM
— NZTA Central Nth Is (@NZTACNI) July 15, 2019
Due to strong winds, #SH5 is currently CLOSED to high-sided vehicles, campervans, and motorcycles. All other vehicles are advised to take extra care while travelling through the area. ^CR pic.twitter.com/TQ2o3nnpdD
Taranaki felt the brunt of stormy weather early this morning with 17mm of rain in one hour rain to New Plymouth and gusts of 94km/h to Hawera, MetService says.
The weather front stretched from Auckland right down to Kāpiti.
MetService said the front would move east over the Bay of Plenty by the afternoon.
