Travelling during Severe Weather Watches and Warnings Travelling during Severe Weather Watches and Warnings

Last updated: 11 July 2025, 9:20am

MetService has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the Auckland region.

These thunderstorms are expected to bring more torrential rain which can cause:

• surface and/or flash flooding, making driving conditions extremely hazardous
• last minute cancellations to ferries, trains and buses 
• short notice bus detours.

To learn more, visit Severe Weather Warnings and Watches (opens in a new tab).

When there is a Severe Weather Watch or Warning in place, weather may impact the transport network. Make sure you plan ahead to stay safe on your journey during severe weather.

Driving

When there is heavy rain and wind, there is a higher safety risk. Drive to the conditions by:

• slowing down
• allowing more space between cars
• put your lights on when visibility is low 
• ensure all passengers are wearing seatbelts 
• staying alert. 

Do not drive through flood waters. There might be debris or hazards you can’t see.

Auckland Harbour Bridge

How weather impacts the bridge

High winds create a risk that gusts of wind may blow vehicles into the bridge or the path of other vehicles. High-sided vehicles and motorbikes are particularly at risk.

Why this causes disruptions

Auckland Transport and NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) monitor wind levels and directions on the bridge at all times. If wind levels get too high, they may:

• close lanes
• reduce speeds
• close the bridge.

If the bridge is closed, drivers will need to detour around State Highways 16 and 18. Several bus routes cross the bridge, which may mean delays if buses are detoured or cancelled.

What you can do

When driving:

• pay attention to the electronic signs on the motorway
• allow extra time
• check traffic levels on navigation apps before you leave.

Taking the bus

How weather impacts bus journeys

Severe weather can cause detours, delays or cancellations.

Why this causes disruptions

High winds can cause:

• debris to be blown onto the road
• reduced speeds, lane closures or full closures to the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

Heavy rain may also cause flooding on the road. Buses may need to detour around flooded roads or alter parts of their routes.

What you can do

Before you take the bus, check the live departures feature in the AT Mobile app. Search for your bus stop, tap the bus stop icon on the map and then tap ‘View departures’. From there you will see the scheduled time and the time the bus is expected to arrive. It is updated based on its live location and traffic conditions. If you tap the bus time in the app, you can then see its live location on the map.

Taking the train

How weather impacts train journeys

Severe weather can cause delays and cancellations for trains. They may also need to go slower.

Why this causes disruptions

High winds can cause debris to be blown onto the tracks or power lines to be disconnected. Heavy rain may also cause slips or flooding on the tracks. If there is water on the tracks, trains will travel at slow speeds. This is so a safety inspector can assess if it is safe for trains to run and at what speed.

What you can do

Before you take the train, check the live departures feature in the AT Mobile app. Search for your train station, tap the station icon in the map and then tap ‘View departures’. There will be a message at the top of the screen to advise of whether there are impacts to the train line, and you can also see if specific trips are cancelled or delayed.

Taking the ferry

How weather impacts ferries

Severe weather can cause delays and cancellations for ferries. This is especially true of outer harbour routes like Gulf Harbour.

Why this causes disruptions

Severe weather has an even greater impact on boats in the water. As well as high winds and heavy rain causing safety and visibility issues, severe weather will also cause high tides that may be too dangerous to travel in. Ferries may need to travel at slower speeds which will cause delays to the whole timetable. Ferries may not be able to safely stop at some wharves in high or low tides. Conditions are more extreme further out of the harbour, which is why Gulf Harbour and Pine Harbour are more likely to experience disruptions.

What you can do

Before you take the ferry, check the live departures feature in the AT Mobile app. Search for your ferry wharf, tap the station icon in the map and then tap ‘View departures’. You can then see if specific trips are cancelled or their estimated arrival time if delayed.

During extreme weather: Red Warnings

MetService Severe Weather Warnings for heavy rain or strong wind are classified into one of two categories:

• Orange Warnings
• Red Warnings.

Orange Warnings are used for severe weather. Red Warnings are used for only the most extreme weather events. For example, the severe weather resulting from ex-tropical cyclones, where significant impact and disruption is expected. People should be prepared to follow the advice of official authorities and emergency services. Under a Red Warning, check the AT website for specific travel advice. This may mean not taking unnecessary journeys.

For the most up to date information on weather conditions visit MetService (opens in a new tab).

Download the AT Mobile app.