Storm Watch: Severe Wind and Thunderstorms Set to Dampen Auckland’s Long Weekend

By Lions Roar Aotearoa Weather Desk

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND (Saturday, January 24, 2026) — Aucklanders hoping for a sunny Anniversary weekend are being told to keep their raincoats handy as severe weather continues to lash the North Island.

MetService has issued a series of Strong Wind Watches as a region of atmospheric instability sweeps across the country, threatening to disrupt travel on the Auckland Harbour Bridge and dampen holiday plans.

💨 Gale Force Warnings

A high-pressure system building over the Tasman Sea is “squeezing” against a low-pressure system to the east, creating a tunnel of powerful southwesterlies.

Regions Affected: Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato (North of Hamilton), and Bay of Plenty (Tauranga and North).
Timing: The wind watches are set to begin at noon today, with gusts expected to hit 100km/h in some areas.
Auckland Harbour Bridge: NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi has warned motorists that speed limits may be reduced or lanes closed if gusts become too dangerous.

⛈️ Thunderstorms and “Fast-Moving” Gusts

MetService meteorologist Michael Pawley warned that the winds are bringing more than just noise. A risk of thunderstorms is moving through the western North Island, from Taranaki up into the Waikato.

“These thunderstorms could be gusty because they’re fast-moving. Into the afternoon, those thunderstorms will be passing further across the North Island,” Pawley said.

While the storms are expected to move through quickly, they could cause localized damage, particularly in areas already weakened by this week’s earlier devastating weather.

🌦️ Long Weekend Outlook: A Soggy Start

For those in the Super City, the long weekend looks “soggy” rather than washed out, but the conditions will be far from ideal for outdoor events.

Sunday: Expect periods of rain and strong westerly winds.
Monday (Anniversary Day): The weather is expected to ease slightly, becoming “showery” rather than heavy rain.
Safe Travel: Those heading east to escape the rain should be extremely cautious; many eastern regions are still recovering from severe landslides and road damage from earlier in the week.

📊 Weather Impact Summary: Jan 24-26

Feature	Details
Max Wind Gusts	Up to 100km/h (Strong Wind Watch)
Peak Risk Time	Today, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Travel Impact	High risk for high-sided vehicles on Harbour Bridge.
Thunderstorm Risk	High for Taranaki, Waikato, and Western Auckland.
Anniversary Day	Mainly showery, improving by late Monday.