High winds and heavy swells in the lower North and upper South Islands could cause some disruption.In Taranaki, State Highway 3 along the Awakino Gorge is closed due to fresh rock falls and slips overnight, the New Zealand Transport Agency reported."Debris will need to be cleared, and road safety assessed before it can re-open," the agency said.Detours can be taken via State Highway 43 or SH4.The gorge near New Plymouth is notorious for slips and closures during bad weather.The agency said a barrier in place and designed to catch any material had done its job."Crews will be working this morning to clear that material from behind the barrier, to restore access as quickly as possible."Meanwhile, snow and ice have led to road warnings in Otago and Southland.MetService has issued a strong wind warning for Wellington, Marlborough east of Seddon and the Marlborough Sounds from 8pm Thursday, warning damage to trees, powerlines, and unsecured structures is possible.Swell warnings are already in effect for the southern coasts of Wellington and Wairarapa.Cook Strait ferries Interislander and Bluebridge cancelled some sailings across Thursday and Friday with Bluebridge cancelling an additional sailing on Saturday.MetService said waves rising to six metres could be expected early on Friday morning, with waves peaking near seven metres late on Friday morning.However, Wellington Civil Defence Emergency Management said the swell heights in the warnings are not currently forecast to be at the same level as a few weeks ago and it is unlikely there would be any evacuations.The Transport Agency is also urging drivers to take extra care when travelling, saying road users need to be ready for strong winds, particularly drivers of high-sided vehicles (vans, trucks, campervans), towing vehicles, light vehicles, and motorcyclists."Caution will be needed on exposed routes like Wainui Saddle on State Highway 1 Transmission Gully and State Highway 2 Remutaka Hill. Cyclists and pedestrians should also exercise care on the Ngauranga to Petone shared path," the agency said."This will affect traffic on State Highway 1. People travelling between Picton and Ward should exercise caution on the route."Road users are advised to drive to the conditions.Treacherous on roads in the deep southSeveral warnings are in place for areas across Otago and Southland because of snow and ice on state highways.New Zealand Transport Agency/ Waka Kotahi contractors have been inspecting highways and laying grit where snow or ice are present.Area warnings are in place for State Highway 6 Wanaka to Haast, Lindis Pass, Kawarau Gorge and State Highway 85 Ranfurly to Omakau.State Highway 94 Centre Hill, between Mavora Lakes Road and Centre Hill Road intersections, is also under a warning as is State Highway 6 Parawa, between Bixter Road and Parawa Station Road intersections.Road users are urged to take extra care travelling on state highways today, especially those at higher elevations.