Wintry conditions have sparked calls for extra care to be taken by southern motorists over the long weekend.
Videos shared on the Naseby Forest Recreation Area Facebook page showed snow settling on the streets of the Central Otago town and snow-covered roads on the outskirts.
MetService on Friday night updated snowfall warnings for the Crown Range Road, linking Queenstown and Wānaka, the Lindis Pass in Central Otago and Southland's Milford Road.
Lindis Pass (State Highway 8)
Further snow showers possible about the summit tonight, but no snow was expected to accumulate on the road.
Crown Range Road
Further snow showers are possible near the summit tonight and early on Saturday morning, but no snow expected to accumulate on the road.
Milford Road (SH94)
Valid: From 8pm on Friday until 2am on Saturday.
More snow showers expected tonight and early tomorrow morning with 1 to 3cm of snow accumulating on the road near the summit with lesser amounts down to 800 metres. Further snow showers possible near the Homer Tunnel during the daytime on Saturday, but none was expected to settle on the road.
The strongest winds were expected overnight Friday and Saturday morning and spreading over inland areas. Squally thunderstorms were possible near the coast.
The New Zealand Transport Agency/ Waka Kotahi warned strong winds could cause damage to trees, powerlines and unsecured structures, which may make driving difficult.
It urged drivers to adjust their speeds and following distances to the conditions.
Likewise Fulton Hogan also reminded drivers to slow down, and be wary around bridge decks and shaded areas where ice may have formed.
That followed rain and reported sub-zero temperatures around the Maniototo and Ida Valley areas last night.
As of 9am this morning, Danseys Pass Rd was restricted to four-wheel drive access only, from the gates past the Danseys Pass Hotel, due to snow.
- APL
