Melting snow is raising river and creek levels leading to surface flooding and road closures in Central Otago.
Reef Rd and Auripo Rd near Omakau are closed while a caution is in place for the Ida Valley to Omakau Road because of surface flooding.
"In the Maniototo and Manuherekia, we are seeing a fair amount of snow melt occurring so river and creek levels are higher than normal," the Central Otago District Council roading report said.
Earlier, forecasters issued a heavy rain watch for North Otago as a slow-moving front soaks the region.
MetService says North Otago has experienced persistent rain overnight and into this morning, with more on the way.
Downpours today will bring periods of heavy rain which "may approach warning criteria".
Elsewhere, road snowfall warning are in place for the Crown Range and Lindis Pass.
Crown Range Road
Rain may turn to snow for a time early Thursday morning. Expect up to 1 cm to accumulate on the road above 1000 metres.
Lindis Pass (SH8)
Further snow may affect the road tonight and Thursday morning, with 1 to 3 cm settling on the road about the summit, and lesser amount down to 800 metres. - APL
