Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is urging motorists to take extra care on the roads today, with MetService forecasting strong winds and heavy rain for the Wellington and Wairarapa regions through to this evening.
Strong wind gusts are expected to particularly affect State Highway 2 across the Remutaka Hill and the wider Wairarapa region today. Motorcyclists and people in lighter or high-sided vehicles need to be extra cautious travelling across the hill and should consider avoiding travel, if possible.
Last Friday, strong winds resulted in several vehicles being blown over across the Wairarapa, so with today’s high wind gusts, high-sided and vulnerable vehicles travelling around the region need to be extra alert. If winds become too strong on Remutaka Hill, there is a high risk that the road will need to be closed.
Heavy rain is also expected to affect roads across Wellington and the Wairarapa, so all motorists are advised to take care and drive to the conditions – keep speeds down, maintain a safe following distance and stay alert.
Crews will continue to monitor the situation closely and should any road closures be deemed necessary for people’s safety, updates will be posted on the Waka Kotahi Facebook, Twitter and Journey Planner pages (links below).
Motorists are advised to check for these updates and the MetService forecast before heading out. Even if the roads are open, the weather is expected to make driving challenging between now and this evening so everyone should take extra care on the roads.
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