Highways have reopened after heavy snow covered the southern South Island, making roads treacherous, but motorists are asked to think twice before travelling.
More snow was forecast for Wednesday night and Thursday morning and there could be overnight closures due to ice, snow and black ice road conditions, the New Zealand Transport Agency warned.
All South Island road users should check NZTA's Traffic and Travel website and the map showing area warnings and closures for highway updates before heading out. Motorists were urged to drive with extreme care and patience.
The polar blast was set to affect other parts of the country too. Flights across the country have been cancelled, ferry services across Cook Strait have stopped and people were being advised to stay indoors with more winds and snow forecast for Thursday.
There is a heavy snow warning for inland Mid-Canterbury, North Canterbury, Kaikoura and the central North Island high country, including ranges in Hawke's Bay and Manawatu.
Temperatures were expected to be as low as -6degC in Queenstown, and may even drop to -10degC through the alpine interior. The weather was expected to cause widespread disruption to transport, and could lead to flooding and slips.
Gale force winds were expected in Wellington and Wairarapa, which could reach up to 140km/h or more. Significant rainfalls were expected around the lower North Island, with 100-50mm in the hills and ranges and 70-100mm around lower lying areas.
Those planning to cross the Cook Strait were out of luck after InterIslander and Bluebridge cancelled all their sailings. They are expected to resume on Friday morning.
State Highway 1 into Dunedin, the Northern Motorway (Waitati to Pine Hill), has reopened but snow showers could affect the summit late on Wednesday.
NZTA advised that SH87 (Middlemarch to Outram) and SH85 (Kyeburn to Palmerston) have closed on Wednesday night. SH93 Mataura to Clinton in Southland remained closed.
The Lindis Pass (SH8 between Omarama to Tarras) was open, except for towing vehicles, and the Haast highway, which was closed on the Otago side (SH6) to Hawea, had reopened.
The Lewis Pass (SH7 Hanmer turnoff to Springs Junction) closed on Wednesday night, while Porters Pass (Springfield to Arthur’s Pass) remained closed.
MetService said snow showers were forecast for all alpine passes except Arthur's Pass.
Lewis Pass: Between 8cm and 13cm of snow was expected to affect the road until Thursday afternoon.
Porters Pass: Snow showers were forecast to affect the road until 3pm on Thursday. A further 15cm to 25cm of snow could accumulate about the higher parts of the road.
Lindis Pass: Snow showers may affect the road until Thursday morning, but should mostly be light.
Milford Road: A few snow showers were possible south of Lake Gunn until Thursday morning, and 1cm to 2cm of snow may settle on this part of the road at times.
The Dunedin City Council earlier on Wednesday advised to avoid road travel where possible due to "widespread snow" and several roads are closed.
NZTA journey manager Lee Wright said drivers should postpone their journeys if they could. “In many places snow is lying on top of ice making driving extremely dangerous.”
Police said Dunedin's hill suburbs were particularly affected by the snow, with Mount Cargill, Three Mile Hill and Blueskin Rd closed.
Dunedin continued to get pelted by hail and temperatures hovered around freezing in some areas around the region.
Queenstown district
Snow fell in Queenstown, Kingston and the Kawarau Gorge on Wednesday.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council said Lake St in Queenstown had been closed, while there was a crash at Loop Rd in Kelvin Heights this morning.
State Highway 6 at Gibbston was also "very icy".
The Remarkables and Coronet Peak ski areas were open for business with chains required on two wheel drive vehicles.
The council warned motorists to take extreme care in the Wakatipu Basin.
Despite continued snowfall, the Crown Range Rd is open, however snow chains were required for all vehicles.
Flights affected
Several flights to and from Queenstown Airport were affected by the weather.
On Wednesday morning Air New Zealand cancelled an inbound flight from Christchurch and Auckland, with a Jetstar flight from Auckland delayed.
Three outbound Air New Zealand services - two to Auckland and one to Christchurch - were also cancelled, and a Jetstar flight to Auckland delayed.
Central Otago
The Central Otago Distict Council said the snow has stopped and sun has cracked through defrosting some snow on roads which have also been gritted.
Motorists were still instructed to to be cautious while driving.
In the Maniototo area, Danseys Pass Rd was closed. Naseby and Ranfurly were open and gritted.
At Manuherikia the Oturehua - Ida Valley Omakau Rd had also reopened and gritted. The road to St Bathans had reopened with the gravel section deemed for 4WDs only.
Moa Flat Rd had reopened and was now suitable for two wheel drives.
Early this morning there was black ice on the road from Wanaka to Cardrona township and on SH8 from Alexandra to Raes Junction.
South Otago
A Clutha District Council spokeswoman said late on Wednesday afternoon that roads in South Otago were likely to be slippery and wet especially if temperatures dropped overnight, creating hazardous black ice.
Road users were asked to avoid unnecessary travel, watch their speed and following distances.
Waipori Road had a good 7-8cm of snow, and it was recommended for 4WD vehicles only in the area.
There were good patches of snow on Papatowai Highway and Owaka Highway, but both can be driven on, with caution.
The Moa Flat area was now fine for two wheel drive vehicles but there was 5cm of snow on the road.
Switzers Rd is recommended for 4WDs only.
Owaka Valley Rd had snow on the road - from Hunt Rd to SH93 is advised for 4WD only.
Tuapeka West hds snow on the top but can be driven with caution.
West Otago Rd has numerous patches of black ice and frozen snow.
The West Otago Community Board was cancelled today and no Lawrence-Tuapeka Community Board meeting was scheduled.
Wheelie bin collection was expected to begin at 10am and there would be delays.
- staff reporters
