Auckland Harbour Bridge reopens after severe wind gusts force complete closure due to storm

The Auckland Harbour Bridge was temporarily closed Saturday, September 13, due to severe wind gusts affecting the structure's safety.

"The Auckland Harbour Bridge is now CLOSED due to strong winds," NZTA said in a tweet. "Please detour via SH18/SH16 Western Ring Route."

Prior to the complete Auckland Harbour Bridge closure, NZTA implemented speed limits and lane reductions as wind conditions deteriorated. Officials warned drivers about hazardous conditions on the bridge.


Also read: New Zealand weekend weather forecast: severe winds, snow warnings and thunderstorm risk

"Extra care is required for all vehicles. High-sided vehicles and motorcyclists should consider delaying their journey or detour via SH18/SH16 (Western Ring Route)."

New Zealand faces continued severe wind warnings

New Zealand continues experiencing strong wind risks and scattered thunderstorms as the weekend progresses. The North Island expects scattered showers while the South Island faces brief rainfall in western regions and along Southland's coast.

MetService maintains strong wind watches for Hawke's Bay, Tararua, Coromandel, Tasman, Dunedin, Clutha, and Southland. Wind gusts may reach 100km/h in exposed areas during the severe weather event.

Snow accumulation was reported near Lewis Pass Saturday, September 13, with precipitation reaching approximately 500 meters elevation.

Weekend weather forecast across New Zealand

Sunday temperature forecasts show highs of 17 to 18°C across most North Island regions, with overnight lows around 12 to 14°C. South Island areas expect maximum temperatures of 15 to 17°C, dropping to 8 to 10°C overnight.

Saturday's turbulent weather brought strong winds and scattered thunderstorms across much of New Zealand. Western coastal areas experienced particularly severe conditions with thunderstorms and wind gusts reaching 90 to 110km/h alongside heavy rainfall of 10 to 20mm per hour.

Also read: Flood-hit Northland and Tasman brace for more rain next week after a frosty spell

MetService issues driving safety warnings

MetService meteorologist Alain Bailee advised drivers to exercise caution during thunderstorm conditions.

"They can pack quite a punch," he said.

Storm risks were expected to decrease for most South Island areas by Saturday afternoon, though North Island west coast regions remained under threat. Most weather warnings were scheduled to expire by 5pm Saturday.

Sunday's forecast indicates a strong south-westerly flow across New Zealand with embedded showers continuing in some areas.

Auckland protest route changed due to bridge conditions

The severe weather conditions impacted a planned pro-Palestine march in Auckland, forcing organizers to modify their route to avoid the Auckland Harbour Bridge due to unsafe wind speeds.

NZTA warned that wind gusts exceeding 90km/h could result in temporary bridge closures or lane reductions affecting traffic flow.

Motorist safety recommendations continue

Transportation officials advise motorists to maintain caution on New Zealand roads throughout the weekend. Drivers should continue monitoring MetService weather alerts as conditions develop.

Also read: Severe weather warnings issued across NZ as rain and wind threaten both islands

The Auckland Harbour Bridge closure demonstrates the significant impact severe weather can have on critical transportation infrastructure during storm events.