Cold snap in South

The Crown Range Road this morning. Photo: MetService snowcam
The Crown Range Road this morning. Photo: MetService snowcam
Snow fell in parts of the South this morning, with road warnings in place for the Crown Range Road and Porters Pass. Milford Sound remained cut off and NZTA warned of an avalanche risk on SH94.

The country woke to a chilly, wet morning with temperatures in single digits in many areas. 

Motorists travelling on South Island alpine roads were warned to carry chains after heavy snow caused major disruption.

The Queenstown Lakes District Council said in the Cardrona valley, light snow was falling and the road was very icy, as was the Crown Range Road. Chains must be carried over the Crown Range. The alternative route was via Cromwell.

There was a light frost in Wanaka, with mostly dry roads and no major issues.

The Wakatipu basin, Arrowtown and Glenorchy roads were wet, with temperatures just above freezing. Motorists were warned to drive to the conditions and be preared for roads to be slippery.

Milford Sound remained cut off and Porters Pass was down to one lane after debris spilled across the road. Chains were essential travelling on the Lindis Pass and State Highway 6 from Kingston to Jacks Point.

The New Zealand Transport Agency said after a weekend of heavy snow avalanches now posed a high risk on State Highway 94 (Hollyford to Chasm Bridge)

The road was closed from Hollyford and not expected to be reopened until this afternoon at the earliest. 

NZTA said a 7km track was cleared into the tunnel area on Sunday, but more heavy machinery would be needed to finish the job. It was hoped to have the highway partially reopened later today, but it would initially be restricted to essential traffic only.

The Danseys Pass Road was restricted to 4WDs due to snow until further notice.

Thunderstorms in North Island

In the North Island, snow showers are expected to fall until 1pm on the Desert Road, with up to 2cm of snow settling near the summit this morning. No other North Island roads are under a road snowfall warning.

The upper half of the North Island remains under a threat of thunderstorms with MetService warning the unstable air mass is continuing to affect regions for a fifth successive day.

Lightning and thunder was expected to rumble across Taranaki to Northland with strong wind gusts and hail up to 15mm in diameter.

After lunch the thunderstorm threat was greatest from Coromandel Peninsula and the north of Waikato northwards. The storms were expected to be accompanied by heavy rain and hail measuring up to 20mm in diameter.

Afternoon and evening showers were also expected over the northeast of the North Island with a moderate threat of thunderstorms for Bay of Plenty and north of Gisborne.

- ODT and NZ Herald 

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