Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has put a wind warning in place for Auckland's Harbour Bridge from tomorrow evening.
The agency has advised that gusts could reach 75-90km/h from 5pm tomorrow through to 12pm Monday, which would trigger an amber alert with the possibility of reduced speed limits and some lane closures on the bridge.
There is also an additional risk of of gusts reaching 90-95km/h from 2am to 10am on Monday, which would trigger a red alert and may lead to all bridge lanes closing.
"The Moveable Lane Barrier will stay in 4 x 4 position for the morning peak on Monday," Waka Kotahi said in a statement this afternoon.
"Motorists are urged to drive to the conditions, look out for the electronic message boards which will indicate lane closures and reduced speeds and stay within their lane while travelling across the bridge.
"Drivers of high sided vehicles and motorcyclists are advised to avoid the Auckland Harbour Bridge and use the western ring route on State Highways 16 and 18."
Waka Kotahi advises drivers to keep up to date with highway conditions by using its journey planner tool.
Sunday's severe weather moves east
Heavy downpours are set to hit Gisborne by the beginning of the week as strong winds thrash northern parts of the country from tomorrow.
MetService's severe weather warnings page has broadened the scope of its severe weather warnings up north, saying a "large, deep, complex low pressure system" will move southeast towards northern New Zealand across tomorrow and Monday.
"An associated front is forecast to move slowly southwards over northern New Zealand on Monday, with heavy rain and easterly gales preceding the front," the agency said. "Large waves are also expected to affect eastern coasts of the upper North Island."
Tairawhiti/Gisborne from Tolaga Bay northwards, especially about the ranges, can expect 90-130mm of rain at peak rates of 15-25mm/h from 3am to 9pm on Monday.
Northland and Coromandel Peninsula can also anticipate heavy downpours from tomorrow and possible thunderstorms on Monday, the former set to receive 90-120mm at peak rates of 15-25mm/h, especially in eastern areas, from noon tomorrow until 6am on Monday.
The Coromandel meanwhile can expect 100-150mm of rainfall at peak rates of 15-25mm/h beginning at 6pm tomorrow and clearing by 3pm on Monday.
Strong wind warnings are also in place for Northland, Coromandel Peninsula, Great Barrier Island and Auckland from Whangaparaoa northwards, with gusts of up to 130km/h expected from tomorrow evening until early Monday.
Yellow-level weather watches are also in place across the north, with periods of heavy rain and possible Monday thunderstorms likely for Auckland, Great Barrier Island and Bay of Plenty north of Tauranga.
Strong wind watches are in place for Auckland south of Whangaparaoa, the Kaimai Range and eastern Waikato, MetService saying easterly winds "may approach severe gale in exposed places".
MetService advises affected people to stay up to date with its severe weather warnings page, the next update currently scheduled for 9pm tonight.
Tropical Cyclone Lola remnants approach NZ
MetService weather communication head Lisa Murray said on Thursday that the remnants of Lola will approach Northland and spread over the upper North Island on Monday.
The agency has been watching the Tasman Sea, where the remains of Lola are moving towards the south and are expected to interact with the cold weather system moving north on Saturday, forming a deep low, according to Murray.
"MetService is expecting to issue warnings or watches over the weekend for northern areas of Aotearoa New Zealand that will be impacted.
"Areas from Northland to Coromandel Peninsula and across to East Cape can expect some strong wind, heavy rain and large waves. This starts in Northland early Sunday and slowly moves eastward to affect the country for the following couple of days."
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