NZ Transport Agency quick update 2: South Island Advisory

Below is the current state of the State Highways in the South Island as of 7.45am.

For travellers using the State Highways at the top and west of the South Island. We advise that people plan their journey by checking the current weather conditions and the forecast as well as the current road conditions. If in doubt stay at home.

State Highways: Warnings & Closures

Marlborough/ Tasman/Nelson

• SH60 Riwaka to Takaka – Slip - ROAD CLOSED – The road is closed between Riwaka to Takaka.
• SH6 Tahunanui to Stepneyville (Rocks Rd, Nelson) – Road is now open

Canterbury (Including Alpine / Mountain Passes)

• NEW: SH79 Geraldine to Fairlie – ROAD CLOSED – Due to a drop out. Use SH1 and SH8 as an alternate route.
• NEW: SH1 Timaru – SH8 Junction to Timaru, Beaconsfield Rd – Flooding – Due to flooding near the intersection of Grants Rd, road users are advised to take care
• Inland Route 70 (Inland Kaikoura Rd) - Flooding – Now open. Road users are advised to take care.
• SH1 Hundalee – Slip – ROAD CLOSED – between Hundalee and Oaro townships. The next update is at 12pm.
• SH1, north of Kaikoura, Mangamaunu to Clarence – ROAD CLOSED – Due to adverse weather conditions the road is closed . The next update is expected by 7amThursday 22 Feb 2018.
• SH1, south of Kaikoura, between Peketa and Goose Bay - ROAD CLOSED – Due to adverse weather conditions the road is closed . The next update is expected by 12 pm Wednesday 21 Feb 2018.

West Coast

• SH6 Hokitika to Haast - Strong Winds – ROAD CLOSED – Next update at 9am Wednesday 21 Feb.
• SH73 Jacksons to Kumara Junction – Strong Winds - ROAD CLOSED – Due to strong winds. Next update at 9am Wednesday 21 Feb. Detour via Moana.
• SH6 Westport to Greymouth (Crossroads to Rapahoe) – Flooding - ROAD CLOSED – The road is closed due to strong winds and surface flooding. The next update is expected at 9 am 21 Feb 2018.
• UPDATED: SH6 Inangahua Junction to Westport (Lower Buller Gorge) – Fallen Trees – ROAD NOW OPEN

Otago

• SH6 Haast to Makarora (Haast Pass) – Strong Winds - ROAD CLOSED – Due to strong wind. Next update at 9am Wednesday 21 Feb.
• SH6 Haast to Kingston – Flooding – Due to flooding and roackfalls, road users are advised to take extra care
• SH8 Alexandra to Milton – The road is down to one lane under stop/go control near the intersection with Grovers Hill Rd. Road users are advised to take extra care.
• SH8 Lindis Pass to Raes Junction – Flooding – Due to flooding and rockfalls, road users are advised to take extra care
• SH85 Kyeburn to Alexandra – Flooding – Due to flooding and roackfalls, road users are advised to take extra care

Stay up to date by using our Traffic Information Map (www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic). This page shows all incidents, area warnings and road works on the New Zealand State Highway network.

MetService - Severe Weather Warnings

Issued by MetService at 10:08pm Tuesday 20-Feb-2018
Severe gales and heavy rain across central New Zealand should ease Wednesday as Cyclone Gita departs

Cyclone Gita is forecast to track southeastwards across the upper South Island tonight (Tuesday), then to move away to the southeast on Wednesday. The high-impact severe weather across central New Zealand should then ease as Gita moves away on Wednesday.

Further heavy rain is expected about the Kaikoura Coast, Canterbury, and eastern Otago, then should ease during Wednesday. Severe gales with damaging gusts in exposed parts of central New Zealand should also ease during Wednesday. People are advised to secure property and items that may be blown away by strong winds. There is also the potential for coastal inundation with high tide overnight Tuesday and before dawn on Wednesday, due to the combination of tides, low air-pressure, strong onshore winds and large waves in excess of 6 metres in some places. For the South Island, the risk of coastal inundation is greatest for areas from Buller and North Canterbury northwards.

Note, the Watch for heavy rain in Dunedin has been upgraded to a full Warning.

People are advised to keep up to date with the latest forecasts. Please see http://www.metservice.com/warnings/tropical-cyclone-activity for more detail on Cyclone Gita, including the latest track map.

Note, heavy rain Warnings have been lifted for Marlborough excluding the Kaikoura Coast, Horowhenua Kapiti Coast, Wellington, Nelson and Buller. In addition, severe gales are no longer expected in Buller and Nelson, and the wind Warnings for these areas are now lifted.

Heavy Rain Warning

Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous.
• The Kaikoura Coast - Valid: 3 hours from 10:00pm Tuesday to 1:00am Wednesday
Forecast: In addition to the rain that has already fallen today, a further 20 to 30mm of rainfall may accumulate until around midnight tonight (Tuesday).
• Canterbury including Christchurch and Banks Peninsula, also the ranges of Westland. - Valid: 13 hours from 10:00pm Tuesday to 11:00am Wednesday
Forecast: In addition to rain that has already accumulated today (Tuesday), expect a further 70 to 100mm of rain to accumulate about the Canterbury High Country, and 50 to 80mm elsewhere until around midday Wednesday. Peak intensities of 20 to 30mm/hr possible about the Canterbury High Country.
• North Otago - Valid: 14 hours from 9:00pm Tuesday to 11:00am Wednesday
Forecast: Until around midday Wednesday, expect a further 50 to 70mm of rain to accumulate on top of what has already fallen. Peak intensities of 10 to 15mm/hr.
• Dunedin - Valid: 15 hours from 10:00pm Tuesday to 1:00pm Wednesday
Forecast: Rain is expected to become heavy at times tonight (Tuesday) through to around midday Wednesday. During this time, expected 50 to 80mm of rain to accumulate on top of what has already fallen today. Peak intensities of 10 to 15mm/hr.

Strong Wind Warning
Strong wind gusts could damage trees, powerlines and unsecured structures. Driving may be hazardous, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.

• Marlborough including the Kaikoura Coast - Valid: 5 hours from 10:00pm Tuesday to 3:00am Wednesday
Forecast: Severe gale southerlies gusting 120 km/h about the Kaikoura Coast, but severe gale northwesterlies gusting 120 km/h inland and about the Marlborough Sounds. Winds should ease early Wednesday morning.
• Buller - Valid: 3 hours from 10:00pm Tuesday to 1:00am Wednesday
Forecast: Severe gale southeasterlies 120 km/h in exposed places until around midnight.
• Westland and the Canterbury High Country near the Alps - Valid: 4 hours from 10:00pm Tuesday to 2:00am Wednesday
Forecast: Severe gale southeast winds with damaging gusts of 150 km/h possible in exposed places should ease overnight tonight (Tuesday).
• Canterbury from Banks Peninsula northwards - Valid: 17 hours from 10:00pm Tuesday to 3:00pm Wednesday
Forecast: Severe south to southeast gales gusting 130 km/h in exposed places. Winds turning southwest severe gale gusting 120 km/h about the Banks Peninsula Wednesdaymorning and easing elsewhere. Easing about Banks Peninsula Wednesday afternoon.

MetService – Road Snowfall Warnings

Issued at: 3:34pm Tuesday 20 Feb 2018. Valid until: 11:00am Wednesday 21 Feb 2018
• Lindis Pass (SH8) - Rain may to wet snow about higher parts of the road tonight, then back to rain late Wednesday morning. During this time 1 to 2cm of snow may accumulate near the summit.
• Crown Range Road - Rain may turn to wet snow about higher parts of the road tonight, then back to rain late Wednesday morning or early afternoon. During this time 5 to 10cm of snow may accumulate near the summit, with lesser amounts down to 800 metres.

ends

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