All lanes have reopened on the Auckland Harbour Bridge, but Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) warns further restrictions may be needed later on Monday.
It comes after Auckland Harbour Bridge was reduced to two lanes in each direction because of severe wind gusts, NZTA said at about 11:10am.
MetService says a cold strong southwest flow affects New Zealand. Several troughs embedded in this flow could bring possible heavy rain to the southern South Island on Monday, with strong west-to-southwesterly winds expected to affect many areas.
NZTA issued amber and red alert levels for the bridge on Sunday.
An amber alert is in place from 4am to 7am, with wind gusts of 75-80 km/h forecast for Monday morning.
Under an amber alert, speeds are reduced and some lanes on the bridge may close, NZTA said.
A red alert is in place from 12pm-9pm, with winds gusts expected to be around 90-100km/ph from 12pm-9pm and possible gusts of 100-110km/h.
Under a red alert, all lanes on the bridge are closed.
NZTA said the bridge is operating with four lanes in each direction due to the predicted strong winds.
Motorists are urged to drive to the conditions, look out for the electronic message boards which will indicate lane closures and reduced speeds, or full bridge closure, and stay within their lane while travelling across the bridge.
It comes as MetService warns parts of the upper North Island could see wind gusts of up to 120km/h.
Drivers of high-sided vehicles and motorcyclists are asked to avoid the Harbour Bridge and use the western ring route on State Highways 16 and 18.
"Waka Kotahi is working closely with MetService to monitor wind speeds with maintenance crews out on the network ready to react and close lanes on the bridge if wind gusts exceed threshold levels," NZTA said.
Aucklanders are also being encouraged to consider if they need to travel over the Harbour Bridge on Monday.
Aucklanders wanting to travel over the bridge by bus should check the AT Mobile app or the Journey Planner on the AT website before they travel for the latest information about services, Auckland Transport (AT) said.
It's not just the wind affecting Auckland motorists on Monday morning, there have been several crashes throughout the city.
NZTA said there was a crash on SH20 Southwestern Motorway, which blocked two left lanes southbound after the Maioro St on-ramp.
Earlier in the morning, a crash on SH1 Southern Motorway was blocking the right northbound lane just prior to the Mt Wellington Highway off-ramp.
The wild weather could also affect public transport, with AT asking Aucklanders to plan ahead.
AT said there will be significant disruptions affecting Southern and Eastern Line train services on Monday.
"Due to an issue with KiwiRail’s electrical infrastructure between Puhinui and Ōtāhuhu, all Eastern Line services tomorrow have been cancelled, and Southern Line services will operate at a reduced frequency of trains every 20 minutes," AT said.
"To help minimise disruption for passengers from these cancellations and reduced services, Auckland Transport has arranged for rail replacement buses to run every 10 minutes between Manukau and Ōtāhuhu."
Scheduled bus services across Auckland will also accept train tickets as well as AT HOP cards, including the AirportLink, which travels every 10 minutes from Manukau to Puhinui, AT said.
"KiwiRail plans to fix its infrastructure issue on Monday night and we are hoping to be able to run full timetables on the Eastern and Southern Lines from Tuesday," AT said.
Road closures
The wild weather has also seen a number of roads closed throughout New Zealand.
In the South Island, motorists are being urged to take care on southern roads, with many closed on Monday morning because of snow.
State Highway 93 between Clinton to Mataura in Southland is closed due to snow and ice and State Highway 94 from Te Anau to Milford (Milford Road) at Hollyford Rd and The Chasm is also shut.
NZTA reported at 9am that there was surface flooding on SH8 from Roxborough to Raes Junction, with motorists urged to drive with care and prepare for unexpected hazards.
In Otago, the State Highway 85 Kyeburn to Macraes Road turnoff and State Highway 87 Kyeburn to Outram were both closed due to heavy snow.
In the North Island, State Highway 1 Waiouru to Rangipo (Desert Road) has reopened on Monday morning after being closed because of ice overnight.
Weather watches and warnings
MetService updated its weather warnings and watches on Monday morning, with large parts of New Zealand in the firing line.
A fresh heavy rain warning has been issued for Southland, Clutha and Dunedin until 6pm on Monday.
The forecaster said a further 60mm of rain is expected to fall on top of what has already fallen.
"Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous," MetService said.
Strong wind is expected to lash parts of the North and South Island. A strong wind warning has been issued for the Coromandel Peninsula and Great Barrier Island until 9pm and for Clutha, Dunedin and North Otago until 9pm on Tuesday.
MetService said these areas should expect "severe gale" with south-westerlies gusting up to 120km/ph in exposed places.
"Strong wind gusts could damage trees, powerlines and unsecured structures. Driving may be hazardous, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles," MetService said.
A strong wind watch is in place for the majority of the North Island until Monday evening, with severe gales expected in exposed places.
The watch is in place for Northland, Auckland excluding Great Barrier Island, Waikato, Waitomo, Bay of Plenty west of Whakatane, Taranaki, the Central High Country, Whanganui, Manawatu, the Tararua District, Hawke's Bay about and south of State Highway 5, Wellington and Wairarapa.
Further south, the watch is also in place for Nelson, Marlborough south of Blenheim, Banks Peninsula, Fiordland, Southland and Stewart Island.
