Several media outlets are reporting that a classic winter storm has made its way through several areas of New Zealand, causing flight cancellations and delays across the country.
As of 9:40 p.m. last night (local time), Air New Zealand regional flights resumed from Wellington Airport, but the airport says there are still disruptions and passengers should check its website, according to a TVNZ report. In fact, earlier today, three Air New Zealand flights were canceled out of Wellington Airport along with three flight delays. For up-to-the-minute, live updates on flights out of Wellington Airport, click here.
According to TVNZ, Wellington Airport officials reported on Tuesday that 13 flights due at the airport were cancelled and 16 flights due to depart were also cancelled. A spokesperson said weather around the country, as opposed to just weather in Wellington, was the cause of the disruptions, according to the report.
On Tuesday (technically Wednesday in New Zealand), snow and rain and strong winds hit much of the country with snow now being reported across the North Island, according to a Radio New Zealand report. According to the report, the snow has caused several road closures in Otago and Canterbury, disrupted some flights and caused minor road crashes.
Ferry Cancellations
According to Stuff, MetService officials are warning that Wellington's wild weather, which has already wreaked havoc on flights and ferries in and out of the capital, is only going to get worse. According to the report, heavy rain remains in the forecast for the capital and has transport officials on high alert, issuing warnings about the potential for snow to low levels, slips, flooding and wind gusts.
Roughly 23-foot swells have been buffeting Cook Strait, forcing the cancellation of all Interislander and Bluebridge ferry services until Friday. Harbour ferries have also been canceled, according to the Stuff report.
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