Snow has fallen in parts of the South this morning, prompting warnings for motorists to take care on roads.
The Milford Road (State Highway 94) is closed owing to snow, and there are warnings in effect for several other roads.
- Check highway conditions here
Haast Pass was closed for a time but has reopened.
MetService yesterday forecast snow down to 200m in Dunedin's hill suburbs and to lake level in Queenstown.
The predicted conditions prompted Southern district police road policing manager Inspector Tania Baron to caution motorists yesterday.
"It's important for motorists to realise that when the weather gets wet or icy or snowy, their driving behaviour needs to change to reflect that,'' she said.
"Driving to the conditions means exactly that. Don't drive at 100kmh just because the speed sign says so, reduce your speed ... if necessary.''
Queenstown Lakes. High risk of black ice forming this morning. Crown Range Rd is open chains ARE ESSENTIAL. ^SM pic.twitter.com/78UbY606ro
— NZTA Otago/Southland (@NZTAOS) July 28, 2016
Snow was also expected to affect the Lindis Pass, and motorists should carry chains, NZ Transport Agency journey manager Lee Wright said.
Drivers throughout Southland and Otago should plan their journeys after checking weather forecasts, Ms Wright said.
MetService meteorologist Claire Flynn said the snow was expected to cease during the day, but was forecast to return tomorrow and Sunday.
"On Saturday, we have got some showers then a mostly fine day and then some more showers coming in at night,'' she said.
Snow could be expected to about 200m overnight on Saturday with snow forecast to sea level in the Clutha district.
Cold temperatures would accompany the wintry blast and frosts were possible in the breaks in snow, Miss Flynn said.
The weather came as good news to skifields which received a dumping overnight on Wednesday with more expected.
About 30cm of fresh powder fell on Coronet Peak and the snowstorm added another 10cm of snow at The Remarkables.
Coronet Peak ski area manager Ross Copland said skiing and riding conditions were "off-the-hook'' on the mountain.
"It's absolutely sublime out there.''
