State Highway 94 will close from East Gate (Hollyford) to Donne River (Westgate) at 5pm.
The road was expected reopen at 10am on Friday, once the snowpack had drained and inspections were carried out, the Milford Road Alliance said.
The highway was likely to remain open into the weekend, despite forecast heavy rain and thunderstorms for the rest of the week. Rain and snow were possible on Monday and Tuesday.
Warm, wet and windy
Meanwhile, MetService said it will be a warm, wet and windy end to the week.
Rain moving onto the western coast of the South Island was set to linger across Buller into Saturday, bringing potential rainfall totals of 250 to 350mm about the ranges.
Heavy rain warnings and watches cover much of the South Island's West Coast from tonight, including the Grey District, warned to expect 120 to 160mm of rain about the ranges, Westland District south and north of the glaciers, and the headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers from around Mount Cook to Arthur's Pass,
In the east, persistent strong north-west winds will be noticeable and a strong wind warning covers the Canterbury High Country overnight on Thursday.
- ODT Online
