Weather bomb to hit early commute

Morning commuters are in for a buffeting as 150kmh winds are expected to hit Wellington, potentially affecting buses, trains, ferries and flights.

A ‘‘bomb low’’ weather warning was issued by Met-Service yesterday – a day that saw snow fall on Fiordland’s Milford Rd, and an elderly person faint from the 30 degree Celsius heat in Hawke’s Bay.

Last night, Met-Service recorded a gust of 148kmh at Cape Turnagain in southern Hawke’s Bay, as well as 122kmh at Mt Kaukau above Wellington and 118kmh on the Rimutaka summit.

But the wind was expected to peak overnight, with no let-up till mid-morning today.

Gusts of more than 100kmh arrived in the Wellington region yesterday afternoon, toppling a traffic light at the intersection of Taranaki and Dixon streets, and a power pole in Aotea Quay.

The East by West ferry cancelled its afternoon service, and flights in and out of Wellington Airport were briefly delayed.

Greater Wellington Regional Council threatened to cancel trolley buses during the evening’s traffic peak but later relented as services coped with the conditions.

MetService lead meteorologist Lisa Murray said the northwest gales could bring down power lines, uproot trees and lift roofs.

‘‘From a Wellington point of view, with buildings being torn down, it could send debris falling as well.’’

A Wellington City Council spokesman said staff would be visiting demolition sites to ensure they were prepared for high winds. Existing cordons around buildings such as the Reading Cinema car park were sufficient to keep residents safe, he added.

Meanwhile in the Southern Alps, the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) said up to half a metre of rain could fall if models were correct.

The heaviest rain was expected around the ranges of Westland, where 300mm may accumulate on top of what has already fallen.

And it may not be over yet: Blue Skies Weather forecaster Tony Trewinnard said there was another weather system coming through this weekend that was likely to make a ‘‘bullseye hit’’ here, based on current projections.

‘‘We probably see one of these coming across the New Zealand mainland perhaps once every two or three years.’’

There was ‘‘good data’’ to suggest the weather would settle down after January.