Motorists are being advised to take care on the Auckland Harbour Bridge tomorrow afternoon as strong winds are expected to sweep through the city, with severe gusts also on the way for other parts of the country.
According to MetService, gusts of 75 to 85km/h are possible across Auckland between 1pm and 5pm tomorrow.
Electronic message boards on the motorway will update drivers if speed limits need to be reduced or lanes closed, New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) said.
"Lowering the speed limit gives motorists time to react and take more care if there is potential for sudden and high wind gusts on the bridge," an NZTA spokesperson said.
NZTA said the moveable lane barrier will be operated as normal during Friday’s evening peak.
Further south, MetService has issued a string of strong wind watches across Wellington and parts of the South Island, as well as Stewart Island.
A strong wind watch is in place in Wellington and Wairarapa until 4pm today.
Canterbury’s High Country and the foothills of the Canterbury Plains will be under a strong wind watch from 3pm Sunday to midnight, with northwesterlies likely to strengthen again and approach severe gale.
Fiordland, Southland, Stewart Island and inland Otago can expect strong winds from 10am to 5pm Sunday, with the chance the watch could be upgraded to a warning.
SHARE ME