Snow and ice is affecting at least one inland Otago road as temperatures plummet and forecasters warn of more chilly weather to come.
Danseys Pass Rd is now restricted to 4WD vehicles from the gates past the Danseys Pass Hotel due to snow and ice, the Central Otago District Council says.
Dansey's Pass is a mountain road located in the Kakanui Range on the boundary of the Central Otago and Waitaki districts.
MetService is also reporting flurries of snow across the top of the Crown Range this afternoon.
And NZTA is advising caution on SH! between Dunedin and Waitati because of winter driving conditions.
The forecaster has issued road snowfall warnings for South Island passes, including Arthurs Pass and the Lindis Pass with falls as low as 500m.
MetService meteorologist Thapi Makgabutlane said the snow would cause temperatures to plummet overnight and on Thursday, creating a slew of road snowfall warnings around the region.
"Those snow flurries are possible from the second half of Wednesday and will move through fairly quickly as the cold front moves across, mostly clearing by the end of the day.
"Temperatures take quite a dip, and Thursday morning looks particularly cold over Otago, while daytime temperatures will barely go into double digits."
NZ Transport Agency/Waka Kotahi advised at 10am today there would be periods of fog, rain, snow and ice on the South Island alpine highways over the next 24 hours.
It'll be chilly in the Queenstown Lakes District area too. The Crown Range Road, linking Wānaka and Queenstown, may also get snow flurries late this afternoon, but little was expected to settle on the road at this stage.
However, larger amounts have been forecast for Canterbury from 3pm today, and NZTA advised drivers to be ready for snow and icy conditions in on high country and alpine passes.
“MetService is warning of the possibility of snow at road level on SH73 at Arthur’s and Porters Passes and SH7 the Lewis Pass,” said Tresca Forrester, journey manager for NZTA in Canterbury and West Coast.
State Highway 8 through Burkes Pass and the Tekapo to Twizel scenic route may also catch some snow and ice, she said.
“Even if snow doesn’t settle on the road, it will be wet, and with temperatures dropping overnight we are expecting ice early Thursday morning, especially in shaded areas and on bridge decks."
Snow warnings
Lewis Pass (SH7)
A period of light snow is possible overnight. 1 to 2 cm of snow may settle on the road above 700 metres, with lesser amounts down to 500 metres.
Arthurs Pass (SH73)
A period of light snow is possible from this evening till the early hours of Thursday morning, and up to 1 cm of snow may settle on the road.
Porters Pass (SH73)
A period of snow is expected from this evening till the early hours of Thursday morning. Expect 2 to 5 cm of snow to settle on the road above 700 metres, with lesser amounts lower down.
Lindis Pass (SH8)
Valid: 3 hours from 5:00pm Wed 8 May to 8:00pm Wed 8 May
Crown Range Road
A few snow flurries are possible late afternoon above 700 metres, but little if any snow is expected to settle on the road.
