Snow fell overnight but the biggest issue on State Highway 8 between Fairlie and Twizel was ice, a spokesman for the NZ Transport Agency/Waka Kotahi said this morning.
"Crews are working to break up the ice and spread grit to enable it to reopen."
Other state highways in the South Island remained open, but motorists were urged to travel with caution through alpine passes and on higher roads where snow or ice may be an issue.
Chains were essential on Porters Pass (SH73 between Springfield and Arthur’s Pass Village) and the road was closed to towing vehicles.
The MetService this afternoon issued new snow warnings for the Lindis Pass (SH8), Porters Pass and the Crown Range Road, linking Queenstown and Wānaka, from 7pm today until early on Friday.
Lindis Pass (SH8)
Valid: 12 hours from 7pm on Wednesday until 7am on Thursday
More snow may affect the road this evening and tomorrow morning, with 2-3cm settling on the road about the summit, and lesser amount down to 800 metres.
Crown Range Road
Valid: 8 hours from 1am until 9am on Thursday
Rain may turn to snow in the morning. Expect up to 1cm to accumulate on the road above 1000 metres.
Porters Pass (SH73)
Valid: 8 hours from 4pm on Thursday until 12am on Friday
Snow set to lower to 800 metres later on Thursday, and 2 to 3cm may settle on the road summit, with lesser amounts down to 800 metres. This may continue into Friday.
Snow and ice could make travel more hazardous, and motorists should be mindful of speed, travelling distances and visibility, NZTA said.
There was some snow on the Crown Range Road overnight on Tuesday. This had been ploughed off and grit applied, but motorists were advised to take it slow over the alpine pass.
In Central Otago, care was still needed if driving in Maniototo, as there was still a lot of snow and ice about, a spokeswoman for the district council said today.
Other roads in the region were wet.
"Keep an eye out for excess grit, reduce your speeds and drive to the conditions."
