Cold conditions are again causing problems for travellers in the South, with snow and ice continuing to affect roads this afternoon Ice on the runway caused delays at Queenstown airport for a couple of hours this morning but flights are now operating to schedule.
While there are no current highway closures, the New Zealand Transport Agency has cautions in place for several stretches, including the Frankton-Queenstown stretch of State Highway 6.
- Check highway conditions here
There is widespread black ice and the NZTA advises motorists to defer travel if possible.
Chains are essential on the Crown Range road, owing to snow.
Ice has prompted cautions for SH6 Cromwell-Frankton and Wanaka-Haast, SH8 the Lindis Pass, SH85 Omakau-Ranfurly, SH94 Mossburn-Te Anau and Te Anau-Milford.
Temperatures in the Queenstown area were hovering around 0degC at 7am, while at the same time Pukaki aerodrome in the Mackenzie Basin was recording -10degC.
Elsewhere, snow is affecting the Danseys Pass road (closed) and has led to warnings for motorists in St Bathans and Naseby. Omakau to Poolburn (Blacks Hill) is extremely icy and is not suitable for 2-wheel-drive vehicles.
Further north, black ice is affecting Canterbury roads. Police advise that the area between Dunsandel and Ashburton on SH1 is particularly bad and there have already been minor crashes today.
