Heavy snow and rain warnings have been issued for parts of Otago as a wintry blast bears down on the country.
MetService this morning issued an orange heavy snow warning for most of Otago - excluding coastal areas - and northern Southland.
The agency said snow was expected to develop tomorrow morning, possibly lowering to 200 metres.
"Above 400 metres, expect over 15cm of snow to accumulate, with 10cm possible in three to four hours."
MetService said snow accumulations below 600 metres could reach 25 to 30cm "but may exceed one metre above 800 metres altitude, especially south of Queenstown to Middlemarch".
There are also orange heavy rain warnings for coastal Otago, including Dunedin, and the headwaters of the regions lakes and rivers. About the coast, MetService says to expect 75 to 100mm of rain.
"The heaviest falls are likely Sunday evening and Monday morning when intensities of 10mm/h are possible."
The Dunedin City Council said contractors had been clearing mud-tanks and drains in low-lying areas, and urged motorists to drive with care.
Road snowfall warnings have been issued for the southern alpine passes, the Crown Range Rd and Dunedin's northern motorway (State Highway 1).
- Scroll down to see the full road snow information
MetService meteorologist Braydon White earlier said a very cold south-to-southeast flow would spread northwards over the South Island behind another front, bringing the possibility of warning amounts of rain for Dunedin, South Otago and Southland.
It was ‘‘very likely’’ to affect roads around the region, he said.
The snow was expected to continue into Monday, and could stretch towards Dunedin where higher areas like Swampy Summit may get a dusting.
‘‘It’s a little bit tricky to say exactly how low it will get.
‘‘There’s a little bit of uncertainty in the models, but we do have a risk of heavy snow above 400m.
‘‘There is the potential some could get lower than that — just not as heavy.’’
‘‘By the time the rain and wind sort of sets in for Dunedin, the coldest air has been pushed a bit further south, so we’re not expecting snow there.’’
In inland parts of Otago and Southland, the weather was expected to clear on Tuesday, and would remain that way for the rest of the working week.
He said the clear skies would probably bring a risk of hard frosts and black ice, and drivers should take extra care on inland roads for the whole week.
‘‘Some of those overnight minimums are dropping into the negatives through that area — sort of in the -1˚C to -2˚C range mostly — and there’s definitely still the risk of some of that black ice or heavy frosts forming.’’
At this stage, the skies across all of Otago and Southland appear to clear on Friday, just in time for Matariki celebrations.
Road snow warnings
Dunedin to Waitati highway (SH1), 10hrs from noon - 10pm Sunday.
Forecast: Rain is expected to turn to snow about the summit around midday Sunday. During Sunday afternoon and evening up to 1 cm of snow may accumulate near the summit.
Crown Range Road, 9hrs from 7am - 4pm Sunday.
Forecast: The snow level is expected to lower during Sunday morning and reach 400 metres in the afternoon. Above 600 metres, expect 1 to 3 cm of snow to accumulate during Sunday morning and afternoon.
Milford Road (SH94), 10hrs from 10pm Saturday - 8am Sunday.
Forecast: Rain is expected to turn to snow near the summit tonight. From Saturday night to Sunday morning, 2 to 5 cm of snow is forecast to accumulate near the summit with lesser amounts down to 800 metres.
Haast Pass (SH6), 22hrs from 10am Sunday - 8am Monday.
Forecast: Snow showers expected about the summit eastwards and 2 to 5 cm may accumulate above 400 metres.
Lindis Pass (SH8), 22hrs from 2am - midnight Sunday.
Forecast: Snow showers expected about the summit early Sunday and 1 to 3 cm may accumulate there by dawn. Snow showers gradually lowering to 400 metres during the afternoon and 10 to 15 cm may accumulate about the summit and 1 to 3 cm down to 400 metres.
- additional reporting ODT Online
