Snow is falling in parts of Otago - including parts of Dunedin - as a wintry blast hits the country.
Around 5.30pm snow was falling on Three Mile Hill in Dunedin, and in Halfway Bush and Brockville.
Around 7.15pm the NZ Transport Agency issued a snow warning for Dunedin's Northern Motorway. Earlier in the day the NZTA issued an ice warning for
State Highway 87 from Outram to Kyeburn.
Inland, snow has settled in Ranfurly, Naseby and St Bathans, and there have been falls in other places, including around Hawea and Gore.
The heaviest snowfalls were expected in Fiordland, where a heavy snow watch also remains active. Snow falling above 300m should lower to 100m late on Wednesday afternoon or evening, before rising above 500m on Thursday morning.
Snow has forced the closure of the Milford Road (SH94). Further north the Lewis Pass (SH7) was closed for a time, and a number of road snowfall warnings are in place and are valid until 10pm on Wednesday.
In the South Island the areas affected are: the Arthur's Pass, Porters Pass, Haast Pass, Lindis Pass, Crown Range Road, and Dunedin to Waitati Highway (SH1).
Danseys Pass Road is restricted to 4WD (from the gates past the Danseys Pass Hotel) due to snow and ice on Wednesday, the Central Otago District Council advised.
