Police say wintry conditions caused problems for drivers this morning in the South, and was the likely cause of a five-vehicle crash near Invercargill.
Police warned motorists to slow down after trucks and cars apparently hit ice and skidded off North Rd in Lorneville near the bridge about 6.50am today.
No one was injured. However, police said the incident showed how dangerous road conditions in the area could be on a cold morning.
Of particular concern was the Invercargill area and on the Clinton Highway (State Highway 1) between Gore and Balclutha. A truck was reportedly stuck on ice there this morning.
"As you jump in the car today, we ask that you think before you drive."
Drivers should slow down, approach shady parts of the road with extra caution, increase following distances and adjust to the conditions, police said.
There were black ice warnings for State Highway 94 Browns to Hedgehope and State Highway 94 Te Anau to Milford Sound on Friday afternoon.
Otago highway reopens
The New Zealand Transport Agency advised that State Highway 87 Outram to Middlemarch had reopened after being shut for a time on Friday morning.
Snow and ice warnings were in place for State Highway 1 Dunedin to Palmerston and State Higway 85 Kyeburn to Palmerston.
One or two snow flurries were possible on State Highway 1 Dunedin to Waitati today, but the snow was not likely to settle on the road, NZTA said.
Snow warnings have been lifted for alpine passes in the South Island.
Queenstown
In Queenstown, light snow was falling on the Crown Range on Friday morning and chains must be carried in vehicles.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council said there had been a lot of ice reported throughout the district, particularly in the Wakatipu area and people should drive accordingly.
Grit had been applied in the usual trouble spots including the Kawarau Gorge, Fernhill and Malaghans Rd.
Wet roads and low temperatures was a dangerous combination, the council said.
Central Otago
There was a hard frost in the district this morning, with temperatures ranging from -4degC to -1degC. Ice was likely in shaded areas and on bridge decks, the Central Otago District Council warned.
Flooding was affecting State Highway 8 Roxburgh to Raes Junction, while State Highway 8 at Lawrence was reduced to one lane on Friday morning due to a slip.
In Roxburgh, Craig Flat Road (track section) was closed from Tallaburn Bridge to Beaumont. 4WD access had been restored to the Tallaburn bridge, although caution was advised. Drivers were urged to take care particularly when raining as more slips may be present.
Road closures and warnings remain in place in Manuherikia and Maniototo. They are:
• Reef Rd at the ford
• Kokonga Rd
• Danseys Pass Road from the gates past the hotel, caution is advised as the roadway is narrow in places and 4WD restricted
• Kyeburn River Rd is closed at bridge,
• Auripo Rd, closed at the Ford but 4WD access has been restored to the remainder of the road.
• Hills Creek Road, closed at the Oturehua Bridge, 4WD restricted for the remainder of the road due to new snow melt.
• Factory Road, closed at the washover structure
• Mt Buster Road closed from Danseys Pass to Little Kyeburn
• A section of the Rail Trail had been washed out at the 107km marker at Kokonga and is closed.
