Harbour Bridge at risk of closure as 95km/h winds bear down on Auckland

Author: Imogene Bedford & Lochlan Lineham,
Publish Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2026, 4:14pm

Travel disruptions may be in store for Aucklanders as gale force winds threaten to close the Harbour Bridge as the weekend’s rush hour begins.

Gusts up to 95km/h are forecast for tomorrow afternoon, with all lanes of the bridge to be closed if gusts reach over 90km/h.

Speed restrictions will likely also be enforced as the winds develop.

New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said travel may be impacted between 1-6pm, advising motorists to drive to the conditions and pay attention to message boards along the motorway.

Meanwhile, a raft of weather warnings are in place throughout the country as rain and strong southerly winds accompany a deep low-pressure system crossing New Zealand today and tomorrow.

MetService meteorologist Michael Pawley said respite would come this weekend as the system moves east.

“Runners of the Wellington Marathon on Sunday are in for chilly southerlies and passing rain. Lingering showers will also remain about eastern parts of the North Island.”

Southerly winds are forecast to roar through the Cook Strait and Whanganui.

“This is going to make for very hazardous marine conditions and parts of Wellington may see wind-related damage.”

In the South Island, a polar blast meant many woke up to a dusting of snow this morning.

The Remarkables mountain range, as seen from Jack's Point. Photo / Brianna McIlraith

Heavy snowfall closed the Crown Range Rd, stranded vehicles, shut a school and created hazardous driving conditions across parts of Central Otago today.

Cold temperatures are expected to persist over the weekend, with the possibility of severe frosts for inland areas, MetService said.

Snow will reach 400m for parts of the South Island this afternoon and evening, and 1100m in southern parts of the North Island overnight.

Mount Cook Village is expected to hit a maximum temperature of only 1C tomorrow, according to the MetService.

Watches and Warnings

Several severe weather watches and warnings for wind, rain, swells and snowfall have been issued across New Zealand.

An orange strong-wind warning for Wellington and parts of Marlborough lasts until 6pm tomorrow, with gusts of 120km/h expected in exposed places.

Waves of up to 7m are predicted around the southern North Island, prompting heavy swell warnings for the coasts around Wellington and Wairarapa.

Watches and warnings around the country. Photo / MetService

Strong wind watches for Northland north of Whangārei, Taranaki and Whanganui, the Tararua Range, Wairarapa south of Masterton, parts of Wellington, as well as Buller, Grey, and Westland have been issued.

A heavy rain watch is in effect for Gisborne/Tairāwhiti and Wairoa from this evening to Friday afternoon, and for the Tararua Range, Wairarapa south of Masterton, and Wellington (excluding Porirua) from Friday morning to Saturday morning.

Road snowfall warnings are for Lindis Pass (State Highway 8), Porters Pass (SH73), Arthur’s Pass (SH73), and Lewis Pass (SH7).