Snow and rain were causing problems for motorists in the North Island this morning.
The Desert Road on State Highway 1 was closed around 8am because of snow while police warned that heavy rain was threatening to flood roads in the Gisborne region.
Police advised that Matawai Road near Te Karaka, northwest of Gisborne, was likely to be closed in the next few hours due to the rising Waikohu River.
Water was already covering a 30 metre stretch of Matawai Road, approximately 2km north of the intersection of Matawai and Waihuka Roads.
Roading contractors and Gisborne District Council were assessing the situation, although there were no houses in the immediate vicinity of the flooded area.
The Met Office said heavy rain in the eastern Bay of Plenty and Gisborne was expected to continue until late this afternoon.
Gale force winds could damage trees and powerlines in exposed places around Gisborne.
Streams and rivers in the high country could rise quickly and there could be road slips as between 80mm and 120mm was forecast for the hills and high country.
