Crews were out gritting and ploughing roads this morning after snowfalls in St Bathans, Oturehua and Naseby areas, the Central Otago District Council said.
MetService has road snow warnings in place for several southern highways, including Dunedin's Northern Motorway (State Highway 1).
Waka Kotahi/ NZ Transport Agency tweeted about 10am that chains were essential for the Lindis Pass (SH8 Tarras to Omarama) and the highway was closed to towing vehicles, but updated the advisory just before noon to say though conditions had eased and vehicle restrictions lifted, care was still needed on the route.
From 6pm, chains must be carried when using SH94 (Te Anau to Milford Road) due to forecast snow.
Waka Kotahi advised road users to remember to switch their headlights on, increase following distances, and be prepared for unexpected hazards when driving in these conditions.
In the Lakes District, drivers are being advised to carry chains on Crown Range Road and Cardrona Valley after light rain and snow flurries.
Danseys Pass Road is restricted to 4WD vehicles from the gates past the Danseys Pass Hotel because of snow and ice.
There is also a strong wind watch in place for Dunedin, Clutha and coastal parts of Southland, including Stewart Island, from 9am today until 4am tomorrow.
Road snow warnings
Dunedin to Waitati Highway (SH1)
Period: 3hrs from 3pm to 6pm Wed, 12 Jul
Forecast: Snow flurries may fall near the summit of the road this evening, but little if any is expected to settle on the road.
Lindis Pass (SH8)
Period: 20hrs from 9am Wed, 12 Jul to 5am Thurs, 13 Jul
Forecast: A few show showers may affect the road this morning and 1 or 2 cm of snow may settle on the road above 600 metres. Further snow may affect the road from late Wednesday evening and overnight Wednesday bringing 2 to 4cm of snow above about 700 metres.
Crown Range Road
Period: 9hrs from 5pm Wed, 12 Jul to 2am Thurs, 13 Jul
Forecast: Snow showers are expected to affect the road Wednesday evening and overnight Wednesday. Expect 3 to 5 cm of snow to settle on the road above about 600 metres.
Milford Road (SH94)
Period: 14 hours from 9am to 11pm Wed, 12 Jul
Forecast: Snow showers are expected to affect the road today with 2 to 4 cm of snow above about 400 metres. Expect a further 2 to 4 cm above about 600 metres late this evening.
Arthur's Pass (SH73)
Period: 4 hours from 1am to 5am Thu, 13 Jul
Forecast: Brief snow may affect the road overnight Wednesday. 1cm of snow or less may settle near the summit.
Porters Pass (SH73)
Period: 7 hours from 1am to 8am, Thu 13 Jul
Forecast: A few snow flurries may affect the road overnight Wednesday near the summit and into the early hours of Thursday morning. Little if any snow is expected to settle on the road.
Lewis Pass (SH7)
Period: 16 hours from 3pm Wed, 12 Jul to Thurs 7am, 13 Jul
Forecast: Some snow showers may affect the road this afternoon and evening. 1 or 2cm of snow may settle above about 700 metres. Further snow is possible overnight Wednesday when 2 to 3cm of snow may settle above about 700 metres.
