It's been snowing on the Crown Range, linking Queenstown and Wānaka, but the road has been ploughed and is open today without the need for chains.
A road snowfall warning for the morning had been lifted, but snow showers may again affect the road above 600 metres from 4pm-8pm, where up to 2cm may accumulate about the summit, with lesser amounts further down, MetService said.
A spokesman for the Queenstown Lakes District Council said more heavy rain overnight meant an increased chance of rockfall on roads from saturated hillsides.
Road users were urged to watch out for this and surface flooding in places.
"Yesterday's heavy rainfall closed State Highway 6 between Makarora and Haast for a couple of hours, and caused a slip at One Mile/Fernhill roundabout in Queenstown that also required a road closure," he said.
"Both roads reopened, but it's a timely reminder that we live in a mountainous area where the weather can have rapid effects on our day-to-day lives."
Canterbury passes
Further north, snowfall warnings have been issued for Canterbury alpine passes.
Snow was expected to affect higher parts of Porters Pass (SH73) from 8pm today until 3am tomorrow. Between 2cm and 5cm may settle near the summit, with lesser amount down to 600 metres.
The Lewis Pass (SH7) would also get some snow from 10pm today until 7am tomorrow. Up to 2cm may settle near the summit, with lesser amount down to 500 metres.
And brief snow showers may affect Arthur's Pass (SH73) from 10pm until 3am on Friday, with just 1cm settling to 800 metres.
Milford Road reopen
Southland's Milford Road reopened by 9.30am today after road and avalanche inspections were carried out.
State Highway 94 had been closed from East Gate (Hollyford) to Donne River (Westgate) since Tuesday after forecast warm, heavy rain raised the avalanche threat to high.
That threat was now low, Milford Road Alliance advised this morning.
The road would stay open overnight and during the day tomorrow.
"However, Friday night into Saturday morning is looking unsettled, so further travel disruptions and overnight closures may be possible."
A road snowfall warning has been cancelled for today, but snow was forecast about the Homer Tunnel tomorrow and on Saturday, while more rain was expected in the area until Monday.
Looking ahead, Earth Sciences NZ said the country was likely to be stuck in a persistently active weather pattern over the next two to three weeks.
"This will be due to a large area of low pressure in the Southern Ocean that will regularly send moisture-rich fronts toward New Zealand.
"Expect regular rain events and plenty of wind."
- ODT Online
