Temperatures plummet as snow settles in South

Snow is falling in parts of the South and temperatures have plummeted as a cold front makes its way up the country today.

MetService has a raft of advisories in place, including a heavy snow warning for South Canterbury and heavy snow watches for Queenstown-Lakes, Central Otago, and parts of Southland.

State Highway 8 between Tarras and Omarama is now closed as at 7.26pm tonight, and drivers are are advised to avoid the area or delay their journey as there are no detours in place.

There are also road snow warnings in place for Haast Pass (SH6) and Porters Pass (SH73).

Road snow warnings for Milford Road (SH94) and Crown Range Road were in place earlier and have now been lifted.

MetService's Crown Range webcam showed a decent dusting of snow at 1pm on Saturday. 

Snow has been reported this afternoon as settling in Omakau and parts of the Maniototo.

The cold front dropped temperatures into low single digits in some areas on Saturday afternoon. Around 3.30pm Wanaka was sitting on 2.4C, while Alexandra and Queenstown were both on 3C. On the coast, Dunedin was sitting on 7.7C.

The Queenstown Lakes District Council earlier said there had been reports of snow settling on State Highway 6 around Kingston and south. Snow clearing would be undertaken if needed.

The council also said that chains were required for all vehicles travelling over the Crown Range Road and from the base carpark of Coronet Peak Road. 

As at 3.20pm on Saturday all southern highways were open. Snow had started falling on the Lindis Pass (State Highway 8), and the road between Tarras and Omarama was subsequently closed at 7.26pm.

The Central Otago District Council advised about 2.30pm that the Danseys Pass road was closed owing to snow and ice.

MetService earlier said up to 20cm of snow could fall above 500m in inland Canterbury south of the Rangitata River, including the Mackenzie Basin.

The forecaster said there could also be heavy falls in Otago and Southland above 500m, and the snow level in the regions could fall to 400m and 300m respectively.

MetService said the snow could disrupt travel, affect power supply and cause stress for livestock.

The snowfall was expected to be shortlived, and conditions were predicted to start improving in most areas from mid-afternoon on Saturday.

Road snow warnings