Drivers on the roads in the top of the South and lower North Island will need to take extra care this weekend with bad weather forecast.
The Metservice has issued a strong wind warning for Wellington, Wairarapa, and Marlborough for Saturday, with gusts of up to 120 km/h forecast. It will affect all regional state highways.
Motorcyclists and drivers of high-sided vehicles (eg trucks, campervans) need to be aware of the conditions, particularly on exposed routes like State Highway 2 Remutaka Hill.
A heavy rain watch is in place in the South Island for Tasman, west of Motueka, and the Buller and Grey districts from 4 am to 3 pm on Saturday. This will affect SH6 and SH60.
Bad weather increases the risks of slips, treefalls, and localised flooding and can see state highways closed at short notice.
Road users should check road and weather conditions before travelling and ensure they drive to the conditions. This means increasing following distances, turning headlights on when visibility is poor, avoiding sudden braking, and allowing extra time for your journey.
