A cold front for the first half of the week was forecast to bring snow, rain and strong winds for many parts of the South.
Snow was set to affect nearly all the alpine and high roads in the South Island including the Crown Range, linking Queenstown and Wanaka, until tomorrow, MetService said yesterday.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council advised at 12pm that the Crown Range was open after being closed overnight and this morning.
However, chains need to be carried for all vehicles driving this route.
"Plan your journey and be fully prepared for changeable alpine conditions. You may wish to consider taking SH6 via Cromwell and also whether or not your vehicle is suitable for the conditions."
Abandoned vehicles had to be moved out of live lanes on the Crown Range to safer locations this morning.
MetService said snow showers were expected to continue on the Crown Range early this afternoon. A further 1cm to 2cm of snow may accumulate near the summit, with lesser amounts down to 800 metres.
Roads were wet in the Queenstown district and motorists should drive to the conditions and watch out for rockfall, the QLDC said.
"The Devil's Staircase and Kawarau Gorge have experienced some rockfall - crews are working to clear this. Please watch out whilst driving in these conditions and report any rockfall that you see."
MetService said snow was expected from 8am until 6pm tomorrow. A further 8cm to 15cm snow may accumulate near the summit during this time, with lesser amounts down to 600 metres.
In Central Otago, the Danseys Pass Road is restricted to 4WD (from the gates past the Danseys Pass Hotel) due to snow and ice.
More snow was forecast for alpine passes in the South Island and the Desert Road in the North Island until Wednesday.
LINDIS PASS (State Highway 8)
Snow was beginning to fall on the Lindis Pass (SH8) again this morning with showers likely above 800 metres until about 1pm. A further 1cm of snow may accumulate near the summit. The highway remained open and has been cleared and gritted.
LEWIS PASS (SH7)
Snow showers were likely on the Lewis Pass from 11am today until tomorrow morning. During this time, 4cm to 6cm of snow may accumulate near the summit, with lesser amounts down to 700 metres.
ARTHUR'S PASS (SH73)
Periods of snow were likely from 8am today until tomorrow morning. Up to 5cm of snow may accumulating near the summit, with lesser amounts down to 700 metres.
PORTERS PASS (SH73)
Periods of snow likely from 10am today until 8am on Wednesday above 700 metres. Up to 4cm of snow may accumulate near the summit, with lesser amounts down to 700 metres.
HAAST PASS (SH6)
Snow flurries were possible near the summit of the road from 8am until 4pm today. However, little, if any, snow was likely to settle on the road.
DESERT ROAD (SH1)
In the North Island, the snow level on the Desert Road was expected to lower to 1000 metres late tomorrow morning, with up to 2cm of snow could accumulate near the summit until the evening.
- ODT Online
