Snow and ice prompted the closure of Dunedin’s Northern Motorway and Three Mile Hill for several hours, which led to traffic backing up on State Highway1 at Pine Hill and Waitati.
About half a dozen trucks had to park at the top of the Northern Motorway because the road was too slippery to continue.
There were also several reports of minor traffic accidents in places around the city’s hill suburbs, where snow settled for a time.
The wintry conditions meant a late start for some city schools, including St Hilda’s Collegiate, Wakari School, Halfway Bush School, Dunedin North Intermediate, Waikouaiti School and Brockville School.
An NZ Transport Agency spokeswoman advised drivers using inland Otago highways — particularly State Highway87 Outram to Kyeburn — to be ready for icy patches and short delays today, as crews continue grading and gritting as required.
The brunt of the wintry blast hit much harder further north, closing the South Island’s more northern alpine passes and many roads in the North Island.Gales also affected flights and ferry crossings in Wellington.
A MetService spokeswoman said cold southwesterlies were expected to ease today as a ridge of high pressure built over New Zealand from the Tasman Sea.
Another front should move on to the South Island on Thursday, which was likely to bring warning amounts of rain to Fiordland, and central and southern Westland (mainly about the ranges).
There was also a possibility of northwest gales becoming severe through parts of Fiordland, Southland, Otago and the Canterbury high country on Thursday, she said.
Snow eased in most parts of the South, and Arthur’s Pass, Porters Pass and Lewis Pass reopened.
In the North Island, snow closed the Desert Road on SH2, and SH4 through National Park.
