Some southern roads will remain closed overnight after a wintry blast made its way up the country today.
In Otago, State Highway 8 (the Lindis Pass), SH6 Hawea-Haast and SH85 Becks-Wedderburn are all closed owing to snow, and many other roads have been affected by the conditions, including: SH1 Palmerston to Balclutha; SH87 Kyeburn to Mosgiel; SH8 Clarksville to Raes Junction; SH90 Raes Junctions to McNab.
Much of the country is copping a battering from the weather, with snow, sleety showers and ice making conditions challenging on the roads. Police warned motorists to exercise ''extreme caution'' and avoid unnecessary travel.
Flights were affected at Queenstown Airport for a time today but normal services resumed this afternoon.
Snow was settling around Queenstown, Arrowtown and Wanaka, and in parts of the Maniototo through the afternoon.
Snow showers were expected to affect the summit of the Dunedin to Waitati highway at times until Thursday morning. From 3pm today until 6am on Thursday, 2cm to 5cm could accumulate from time to time, especially on Wednesday.
The cold front reached Canterbury by 3pm and was making its way toward Wellington via Christchurch tonight.
Queenstown
Sheet ice in Queenstown caused problems on the roading network, with gridlock on Frankton Rd as rain this morning froze on contact with the roads.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council said there were two crashes - one on State Highway 6A near Yewlett Cres involving a truck rolling, and another on State Highway 6 near Boyd Rd.
The QLDC said temperatures were well below freezing with ice forming on all roads, especially through shaded areas and over bridges. Freezing fog in many places was adding to hazards.
Snow was falling on the Crown Range and in the Wakatipu Basin this morning, the council said, with MetService forecasting more throughout the day.
Central and South Otago
Frozen snow and black ice have caused major issues throughout today in Manuherikia and Maniototo.
Due to these roading conditions the Ida Valley Omakau Road and St Bathan’s Loop Road areas will remain closed overnight, as will SH85 from Becks to Wedderburn.
There are cautions for SH85 from Kyeburn to Palmerston and from Kyeburn to Alexandra because of black ice.
The Danseys Pass Rd is closed.
Roads in Alexandra, Cromwell, Roxburgh and Ranfurly are open but care is needed.
Roads in Naseby, Kyeburn and Wedderburn were restricted to 4WD use only, and chains were to be carried.
In South Otago, there were patches of black ice on sealed an unsealed roads in the Clutha District. Black Bridge Rd (Clydevale) was particularly treacherous this morning, the council advised.
Icy roads in the Clutha District were the cause for a crash near Balclutha this morning.
Acting Sergeant Wayne McClelland, of Balclutha, said a van was driving towards Clydevale in Clutha Valley Rd when it went off the road due to the icy conditions.
Nobody was injured in the incident.
North Otago
Acting Sergeant Stefan Witehira, of Palmerston, said police had no reports of crashes within North Otago yet, but he urged drivers to take care and drive to conditions.
The NZTA had an active snow and ice warning up for State Highway 8 between Omarama and Tarras.
An active ice caution notice was also up for State Highway 82 between Kurow and Waimate.
Highways, alpine passes affected
NZTA advised that alpine passes may all be affected by snow from midday on Tuesday, mainly on the higher parts of the road - Arthur’s Pass and Porter’s Pass (SH73), Lewis Pass (SH7), Lindis Pass (SH8), Haast Pass (SH6), the Milford Road (SH94). More snow may fall at Porter’s Pass (SH73) from Tuesday evening through to Thursday - 15-20 cm or more near the summit.
“Please think carefully on whether you need to get in your car today and if you do, drive to the conditions - slowly, with chains for the alpine passes,” NZTA journey manager Lee Wright said.
The Milford Road reopened about 11.30am.
- Staff reporters/additional reporting NZME
