It was fleeting, but it was fun to watch.
Dunedin got its first snowfall at sea level for the winter season yesterday, attracting children and adults alike into the flurries as they came and went throughout the day.
While the snow failed to settle in the city itself, it did settle on the hills above and across much of the lower South Island.
During the morning, the polar blast prompted MetService to update its road snowfall warnings for southern areas, and authorities warned of dangerous driving conditions in Southland and Otago.
Most of these warnings have been lifted, but care was still needed on roads due to black ice as temperatures would stat low today, the NZ Transport Agency/Waka Kotahi advised.
Crews were gritting roads as a precaution. "Due to snow and ice conditions, road users are advised to take extra care."
MetService said a few snow showers were still possible for the Milford Road (State Highway 94) in Southland today until 7pm, but little snow if any would affect the road near the Homer Tunnel.
A snow warning has been lifted for Dunedin's Northern Motorway (SH1 to Waitati) and the Crown Range Road, linking Queenstown and Wānaka.
A heavy snow watch remained in place for Central Otago south of Lake Wakatipu and Roxburgh, Clutha, Southland, Stewart Island, and Fiordland (south of George Sound) until 3am today.
Hawksburn Rd, from Clyde to Cromwell, remained closed this morning and Danseys Pass Rd was restricted to 4WD access only.
Graders clearing snow in Clutha
Graders are clearing roads after more snow fell in South Otago overnight, a spokeswoman for the Clutha District Council said this morning.
Hillend Rd/Mt Stuart is four-wheel-drive only 4x4 and was being graded before crews continue to the Waipori area.
Another grader would clear snow from the Switzers and Dunrobin area as there were numerous snow drifts in the exposed cuttings.
"Depending on the amount of snow on the roads it could take a day or two access and clear some roads," she said.
Road users would need to take care in the higher areas today, especially where there was still snow on roads.
State Highway 93 (between Mataura and Clinton) was closed for about two hours yesterday morning, but was reopened by noon.
In a Facebook post, Gore District Council told residents to be careful when driving around the district because some areas were affected by snow with up to 2cm of slush on some of the higher altitude roads, including Crawford Rd, Diamond Peak Rd and Kaiwera Rd.
NZTA told Otago drivers to take extra care on SH87 between Kyeburn and Outram, and SH85 between Alexandra and Kyeburn, due to snow and ice.
The Central Otago District Council also warned motorists to slow down and drive to the conditions, as snow fell on roads throughout the Maniototo, Manuherikia and Roxburgh areas.
The Crown Range Rd was also closed for a time yesterday morning, but was reopened by noon.
Further north, about 50 people were forced to spend the night in Arthur's Pass, in Canterbury, after snow shut State Highway 73 between Springfield and Castle Hill.
Porters Pass and Lewis Pass were closed yesterday morning, but reopened about noon, with cautions for road users to take extra care.
"The cold, however, will persist. Widespread frost is forecast across much of the South Island."
She said tomorrow was expected to be the highlight of the week, with sunshine across the country providing a welcome break from the cold.
"A ridge of high pressure will bring settled weather and double-digit daytime temperatures for most regions.
"These milder temperatures will continue into the latter half of the week as a northwesterly flow develops ahead of an incoming weather system."
She said winds would increase over the South Island on Thursday, and wet weather was also expected to return to the western South Island, inland Canterbury and Otago.
"To go from snow to sunshine, back to blustery winds, all in a matter of days? It’s yo-yo weather at its finest", she said.
- additional reporting ODT Online
