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The storm has canceled some commuter train services in Auckland and could close the Auckland Harbor Bridge.
The heavy rains that hit the north of the North Island have also felled trees and downed power lines.
Thunderstorms and winds of up to 100km / h are possible, and New Zealand’s Transport Agency, Waka Kotahi, has warned that it will “not hesitate” to close the Auckland Harbor Bridge if necessary.
MetService
MetService has issued a series of heavy rain advisories for northern New Zealand, but also for the western areas of the South Island.
There are heavy rain warnings for Northland, the Coromandel Peninsula and the Bay of Plenty.
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Severe weather caused a large tree to crash into a house in Cockle Bay in eastern Auckland.
A New Zealand Fire and Emergency spokeswoman said the tree fell onto the roof and deck of a property on Alexander St.
No injuries were reported.
However, the tree was too big for firefighters to remove, so the homeowner would have to call in an arborist.
In all, FENZ had received about a dozen weather-related calls on Thursday.
“The climate appears to be slowly beginning to change to the south,” the spokeswoman said.
Trains on the east line had been canceled, Auckland Transport (AT) said.
Max Hamilton / Supplied
Charlie’s Rock waterfall in Kerikeri overflowed Thursday after a deluge hit the upper North Island.
Special trains to Panmure on the east line are canceled, but Manukau services run as usual.
Services were canceled earlier on the western line, but AT received clearance to operate between Britomart and Swanson as of approximately 4.15pm.
AT warned people taking the train to continue to expect delays during the afternoon.
Paul shaw
Northland is still recovering from a flood in July. This photo was taken at that time by a member of the Whāngarei Flying Club.
The weather has also caused power lines to drop onto the road near the intersection of Maraetai School Rd and Maraetai Drive in eastern Auckland.
Maraetai School Rd is closed between Maraetai Drive and Maraetai Heights Rd, a police spokesman said.
Police officers are assisting firefighters and contractors on site who are working to fix the problem.
“We appreciate the cooperation of motorists at this time,” the police spokesman said.
According to Vector’s website, a power outage was reported in the area at 2.47pm and staff were on their way.
Denise Piper / Things
A broken tree branch blocks part of the road in Helena Bay near Whangārei, one of many branches that collapse in the storm.
The heavy rain warning has been extended to Gisborne, which can expect up to 110 millimeters of rain overnight on Thursday.
Heavy rain is also possible further south at the headwaters of Canterbury, and is expected to continue into southwest Westland, with thunderstorms expected as the system moves south.
The forecast for the north of the North Island is for northeast gales of up to 100 km / h in exposed locations.
Bursts of that force could damage trees, power lines and unsafe structures, while driving could be dangerous, particularly for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles, MetService said.
Parts of Northland have also been affected by power outages and tree damage.
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A power outage that previously affected the Whangārei Heads area now only affects Pataua South, while a handful of customers are affected by outages in Pukenui, Russell and Oneriri.
A large tree has closed a road in Ruakaka. The tree has blocked McEwan Rd, about 500 meters from the end of Marsden Point Road, and the Whangārei district council suggested that motorists take an alternative route.
GLENN JEFFREY / Things
Now it rains in Northland, Auckland, Coromandel and the Bay of Plenty and much of the North Island is expected to be soaked. (File photo)
Heavy rains have also hit Northland, MetService meteorologist Tahlia Crabtree said around 2 p.m. Thursday.
Kerikeri Airport had 74.8mm of rain on Thursday at 2pm, with 22mm falling in just one hour.
“It’s a pretty heavy dose of rain in a single hour,” Crabtree said.
The region is still recovering from a flood in July, with State Highway 1 south of Kaitaia still closed due to slips.
It is now raining in Auckland, Coromandel and the Bay of Plenty, and wind gusts have exceeded 80 km / h in exposed parts of Auckland such as the Whangaparaoa Peninsula, Crabtree said.
Wind gusts of up to 74km / h hit the Auckland Harbor Bridge and the gusts were expected to peak on Thursday afternoon.
The NZTA is closely monitoring the Auckland winds and advised high-sided vehicle drivers and motorcyclists to avoid the Auckland Harbor Bridge altogether.
The forecast is for gusts of up to 110 km / h until 4 pm, before it drops to 80 to 90 km / h, until 8 pm, when wind levels will decrease.
RYAN ANDERSON / Stuff
NZTA (Waka Kotahi) warns that it will “not hesitate” to close the Auckland Harbor Bridge if Thursday’s winds are too bad.
“Safety is our priority and we will not hesitate to close the bridge if necessary,” said Auckland system manager Andrea Williamson.
Hurricane force winds on September 18 blew a truck into a prop on the Auckland Harbor Bridge, causing damage and rolling lane closures for several days.
The bridge was closed to traffic for a period on September 29 due to strong gusts of wind.
Meanwhile, the rain is expected to move south on Thursday and spread across the lower North Island starting in the afternoon, with occasional showers also reaching the top of the South Island.
The rains are also expected to turn to daytime rain in Otago and Southland, with some possible scattered showers in the afternoon in Canterbury.
Rain is forecast in Wellington starting in the evening, while Christchurch is expected to have a warm day with a high of 27 degrees Celsius.
On Friday, the weather is expected to be more stable, with calmer wind and only rain forecast for the country, Crabtree said.
