Southland's Milford Road has been closed for a second night due to snow and a moderate risk of avalanche, as parts of the South Island also brace for heavy rain and strong winds.
MetService says a series of fast-moving weather systems and northwesterlies will bring heavy downpours, occasional thunderstorms and gusty winds to parts of the South Island from today.
The forecaster said though spring is just around the corner, snow was still possible for higher alpine passes and had issued a snowfall warning for the Milford Road (State Highway 94) from tonight.
Up to 5cm of snow (possibly more) was expected to fall on the road above 800m from 8pm until 8am on Friday.
"While we have been seeing small natural avalanches in the last month, it is only in the last week we have had enough snow arrive to affect the road."
SH94 was closed overnight due to a moderate risk of avalanche and reopened this morning.
It closed again at 5pm today from East Gate (Hollyford) to Donne River (Westgate) and was not expected to reopen until mid-morning after snow clearing and avalanche risk assessments had been done.
"Due to unsettled and variable weather it is likely that the road will close overnight on Friday."
Forecast for Homer Tunnel area
Today: Periods of rain, with snow developing.
Friday: Morning snow showers about the tunnel turning to rain.
Saturday: Morning rain, with heavy falls, followed by a few showers.
Sunday: Rain.
Heavy rain and winds
A heavy rain watch has been issued for Canterbury and the West Coast from this afternoon until 9pm.
MetService said for the headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers south of Arthur's Pass, and for the ranges of Westland south of Arthur's Pass, there would be periods of heavy rain with thunderstorms. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria within 20km east of the main divide. More heavy rain was forecast for Saturday.
Fiordland, currently under a heavy rain watch, was among several other places in the South Island - including up to Tasman - that can expect to be battered by intense showers.
Periods of heavy rain and possible thunderstorms were predicted to hit Fiordland from 9pm on Friday until 11am on Saturday.
A strong wind watch has been issued for the Canterbury High Country from 1am until 3pm on Saturday. Northwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.
By Sunday, the wet weather was expected to clear in the afternoon as the system moved off the country.
- additional reporting by RNZ
