The Northern Motorway out of Dunedin has been closed owing to ice and snow tonight as a wintry blast hits the South.
The New Zealand Transport Agency advised of the closure around 9.30pm.
- Check highway conditions here
Three Mile Hill road is also closed for the night.
Police say driving conditions around the Southern region are treacherous tonight and expected to remain that way through tomorrow.
They say there have been several crashes resulting from slippery conditions today.
Snow and sleet have been falling steadily in Dunedin this evening, with heavy falls in the hill suburbs and flurries in the central city and lower suburbs.
The Otago Regional Council advises that all Brockville, Halfway Bush, Maori Hill, Kenmure, Wakari, and Balaclava bus services have been cancelled.
Opoho-Pine Hill bus services are terminating at The Gardens, Corstorphine services are turning around at Forbury Corner, and Shiel Hill services are terminating at Silverton St.
Its snowing right now halfwaybush Dunedin @weatherwatchnz pic.twitter.com/jG5m3Ghly8
— Ross (@RossGrahamnz) July 7, 2015
Earlier, parts of Southland and Otago had snow to sea level today, and showers were expected across the east coast this evening and overnight, MetService meteorologist Rebekah LaBar said.
Snow down to 200m was expected in Otago and Canterbury tonight and tomorrow.
Snow was expected in Dunedin and Christchurch but Ms LaBar said it was unlikely to accumulate, with sleety showers more likely.
"It's not a really widespread event, it's pretty showery," Ms LaBar said.
"Some places might see a few centimetres [of snow] and others won't see much at all."
MetService has issued a warning for heavy snow for Southland, southern Fiordland and Clutha, and for Hawkes Bay, the Tararua District and the Taihape area, including the Central Plateau.
Snow is forecast down to 300-400m over the southern and central North Island for tomorrow.
Police said "treacherous ... widespread" black ice caused a number of crashes across Southland this morning, and MetService received reports of 5-10cm snow north of Invercargill, including 10cm in Clinton.
The NZ Transport Agency said drivers need to be extra vigilant in Canterbury, Otago and Southland, with the wintry blast expected to continue over the next two days.
Meanwhile, a torrential downpour in Auckland has prompted warnings for rush hour commuters driving home tonight.
The heavy rain could cause flash flooding during the rush hour window, WeatherWatch has warned.
"Travellers are warned to drive to the conditions particularly in exposed locations," Auckland Transport warned.
Wind gusts could also reach 110km/h in New Zealand's biggest centre tonight, with forecasters also suggesting conditions were favourable for small tornado formations and hail.
It's been a damp day for most of the North Island, with rain, showers, and even thunderstorms across Waikato, Auckland and Northland.
