Roads are closing this evening and heavy snow warnings are in place for Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago as a wintry blast bears down on the South.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has advised that the Milford Road (State Highway 94) has closed for the night, owing to forecast heavy snow, and the Crown Range Road is set to close from 10pm.
The forecaster's snow warning period runs from midnight tonight until 8am tomorrow, bringing heavy snow of 15-25cm above 600m and lesser amounts down to 300m.
The weather system could close roads and damage trees and powerlines, MetService said.
The cold conditions may also cause stress for livestock.
A front is associated with a low pressure system over the Tasman Sea, which is forecast to move slowly north over southern New Zealand this evening and early Thursday morning.
Northerly winds are expected to turn colder southeasterly behind the front, bringing the snow level down to around 300 metres in parts of Southland, Otago and Canterbury for a time.
The forecaster has issued several road snow warnings for southern highways.
Road snowfall warnings
Dunedin to Waitati Highway (State Highway 1)
Period: 5 hours from 1am Thu 20 Jul to 6am Thu 20 Jul
Forecast: Snow is possible about the summit of the road early Thursday morning. 1 to 2 cm of snow may accumulate near the summit.
Lindis Pass (SH8)
Period: 6 hours from 2am Thu 20 Jul to 8am Thu 20 Jul
Forecast: A period of snow is expected during Thursday morning. 8 to 12 cm of snow is expected to settle on the road above 600 metres, with lesser amounts down to 400 metres.
Haast Pass (SH6)
Period: 4 hours from 4am Thu 20 Jul to 8am Thu 20 Jul
Forecast: Rain may turn to snow above 400 metres for a time Thursday morning, and 1 to 3 cm may settle on the road about and east of the summit.
Crown Range Road
Period: 7 hours from 1am Thu 20 Jul to 8am Thu 20 Jul
Forecast: A period of heavy snow is expected during Thursday morning. 10 to 20 cm of snow is expected to settle on the road above 600 metres, with lesser amounts lower down.
Milford Road (SH94)
Period: 8 hours from 12am Thu 20 Jul to 8am Thu 20 Jul
Forecast: A period of heavy snow is expected during Thursday morning. 10 to 20 cm of snow is expected to settle on the road above 600 metres, with lesser amounts down to 300 metres.
