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A front that dumped snow in parts of Otago is causing problems for motorists on some South Island roads further north.
In the Mackenzie Basin, significant snow has led to several vehicles becoming stuck on State Highway 8 near Lake Pukaki, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said.
Roading crews were assisting by ploughing snow so the drivers could get out.
On SH73 between Christchurch and the West Coast, the section of road between Springfield and Castle Hill (including Porters Pass) is closed to towing vehicles, and chains are essential, NZTA says.
Shortly after 1pm on Sunday NZTA advised that the Lewis Pass (SH7) was closed owing to heavy snow.
Snow fell in parts of Otago earlier on Sunday but it was causing few problems on the region’s roads.
Snow was settling on the ground in parts of Central Otago such as Ophir, St Bathans and Naseby as the fast-moving cold front moved through.
Snow has also fallen on some of the hills around Dunedin.
However, MetService has lifted all its severe weather advisories for the South, including a heavy snow watch that had been issued for for Central Otago, Queenstown Lakes District, inland Clutha and Southland north of Lumsden.
An orange heavy snow warning for parts of Canterbury has also been lifted, but at 1.25pm a heavy snow watch remained in place for the province’s high country and plains near the foothills about and north of Arthurs Pass.
Road snow warnings remain in place for Arthur’s, Porters and Lewis passes.
MetService says thunderstorms and hail are possible in Clutha, Dunedin and Banks Peninsula during Sunday but conditions are set to improve, becoming fine from Dunedin northwards in the evening.
— Allied Media