Severe Weather Warnings and Watches
Issued by MetService at 7:30pm Saturday 15 Aug 2026
Heavy rain for the Wairoa District and strong winds for parts of central New ZealandA strong and unsettled southerly flow spreads over the North Island on Sunday. A Heavy Rain Watch is in force for the Wairoa District, and Strong Wind Watches are in place for parts of central New Zealand.
Please keep up to date with the latest forecasts.
Heavy Rain Watch - Yellow
Area: The Wairoa District
Period: 24hrs from 3:00am Sunday 16 Aug 2026 to 3:00am Monday 17 Aug 2026
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria.
Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.
Strong Wind Watch - Yellow
Area: Wellington, the Marlborough Sounds and the Kaikoura Coast about and north of Clarence
Period: 12hrs from 12:00am Sunday 16 Aug 2026 to 12:00pm Sunday 16 Aug 2026
Forecast: South to southeast winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.
Low chance of upgrading to a Warning.
Area: Taranaki north of Hawera and west of Whangamomona
Period: 10hrs from 8:00am Sunday 16 Aug 2026 to 6:00pm Sunday 16 Aug 2026
Forecast: Southeast winds may approach severe gale in exposed places, mainly north of the mountain.
Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.
An update for severe weather will be issued by: 10:00am Sunday 16 Aug 2026
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Road Snowfall
Arthur's Pass
Issued at 8:30pm Saturday 15 Aug 2026
Valid until 11:00am Sunday 16 Aug 2026
Snow may settle on the road from tonight until midday Sunday, where 2 to 5 cm may accumulate about the summit with lesser amounts to 500 metres.
Desert Road (SH1)
Issued at 8:30pm Saturday 15 Aug 2026
Valid until 11:00am Sunday 16 Aug 2026
Snow may settle on the road from Sunday morning until early Monday morning, where 3 to 6 cm may accumulate about the summit with lesser amounts to 500 metres.
Lewis Pass (SH7)
Issued at 8:30pm Saturday 15 Aug 2026
Valid until 11:00am Sunday 16 Aug 2026
Snow may settle on the road east of the summit from late tonight until Sunday afternoon, where 2 to 5 cm may accumulate down to 400 metres. Sleety showers or light snow may continue into Sunday evening.
Napier-Taupo Road (SH5)
Issued at 8:30pm Saturday 15 Aug 2026
Valid until 11:00am Sunday 16 Aug 2026
Snow may settle on the road from Sunday evening until early Monday morning, where 1 to 2 cm may accumulate about and east of the summit with lesser amounts to 600 metres.
Porters Pass (SH73)
Issued at 8:30pm Saturday 15 Aug 2026
Valid until 11:00am Sunday 16 Aug 2026
Snow may settle on the road from tonight until Sunday afternoon. Expect 10 to 15 cm to accumulate about the summit, with lesser amounts on lower parts of the road. Light snow showers may continue into Sunday evening.
Thunderstorm Warning
No Severe Thunderstorm Warnings In Effect
Thunderstorm Watch
No Severe Thunderstorm Watches In Effect