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Heavy rain expected as holidaymakers head home

Author
NZ Herald Staff,
Publish Date
Tue, 2 Jan 2018, 4:15PM
( Photo: Getty Images)
( Photo: Getty Images)

Heavy rain expected as holidaymakers head home

Author
NZ Herald Staff,
Publish Date
Tue, 2 Jan 2018, 4:15PM

Traffic is building around the country as holidaymakers travel home after the festive season.

Around midday the NZ Transport Agency reported high traffic numbers on State Highway 1 north and southbound near Auckland.

Numbers were increasing at the Johnstones Hill Tunnel and Puhoi areas heading northbound, and drivers should expect delays.

Southbound traffic was also building on SH1 through Wellsford and Warkworth and the agnecy asked drivers to be patient and allow extra time.

 

Drivers in Tauranga were also being advised to avoid the SH2 and SH29A area as the BayDreams Music festival takes place today.

High volumes of traffic were expected from 10am to 4pm and 10pm to midnight.

Turbulent weather is expected to hit later today through to the weekend with thunderstorms, heavy rains and strong gales expected around the country.

MetService is also warning that Auckland could get heavy showers and thunderstorms this afternoon, and to expect surface flooding.

The thunderstorms from Auckland and western Coromandel Peninsula down to Wairarapa, including the ranges of Gisborne and Hawke's Bay, could be severe, MetService warns.

"Driving conditions will also be hazardous with surface flooding and poor visibility in heavy rain.".

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