A slow-moving front is set to bring heavy snow to road level for parts of the South and Canterbury this weekend - and motorists are advised to get where they want to sooner rather than later.
Affected areas will be the Milford Road (State Highway 94) and Southland over Otago into South Canterbury and the Southern Lakes area this weekend, NZ Transport Agency/ Waka Kotahi advised today.
MetService tonight updated its heavy snow watch warning for the Canterbury High Country, south of the Rangitata River including the Mackenzie Basin from 3pm tomorrow until 9am on Sunday.
Snow was forecast to lower to 200 metres, with heavy falls possible above 400 metres where amounts may approach, or even exceed, warning criteria.
A road snowfall warning has been issued for Porters Pass on SH73, west of Springfield, which could get up to 3cm of snow.
Heavy snow may also affect the Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago areas for 12 hours from 7am on Saturday. Snow was forecast to lower to 300 metres, with heavy falls possible above 500 metres where amounts may approach, or even exceed, warning criteria.
A heavy snow watch was also in place for six hours from 5am on Saturday for Southland, north of State Highway 96 and west of SH 90, and Fiordland, about and south of Lake Te Anau.
Snow was expected to lower to 200 metres, with heavy falls possible above 400 metres where snowfall amounts may approach warning criteria.
There may be possible sleet in the hill suburbs of Dunedin on Saturday.
The change will come from the deep south about 7am tomorrow, with snow expected to road level at the southern end of the Milford Road in Southland.
“The front may stall for a time,” MetService warned, which could result in heavy snow in some places, including alpine passes.
The Lindis Pass (SH8) linking Otago and Canterbury between Cromwell and Omarama could get between 5cm and 10cm of snow from noon tomorrow through to early Sunday morning.
The front was forecast to move across north and north-west Southland from early on Saturday before clearing from the south about midday.
State Highway 94 Gore/Mossburn to Te Anau, the Milford Road, and SH6 Invercargill to Queenstown, were forecast to get snow. Between Athol and Kingston, up to 9cm of snow could settle, NZTA said.
People should also watch for ice early on Sunday, Miss Felts said.
Anyone driving these routes, as well as Burkes Pass, the entrance to the Mackenzie District, around Lake Tekapo and Twizel and SH80 the highway into Mt Cook/ Aoraki should be prepared, NZTA said.
People should expect disruptions during this time and if they can avoid travelling overnight on Saturday in these areas, that would be wise.
“Get to where you are going early, rather than later,” Miss Felts said.
This morning, freezing overnight temperatures brought icy conditions to much of Central Otago. A spokeswoman for Fulton Hogan said temperatures dropped to as low as -8degC, causing icy spots on roads, particularly in shaded areas and on bridge decks.
There may be possible sleet in the hill suburbs of Dunedin on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the weekend is shaping up a good one for indoor activities across the South Island.
MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said the front would also bring rain and strong northwest winds. There was a possibility the rainfall amounts could reach warning criteria in Southland, Fiordland and the ranges of the Westland District.
Severe northwest gales were possible in the Canterbury high country.
The cold front was expected to weaken later on Sunday.
Alpine road snowfall warnings
Porters Pass (SH73)
Valid: From 9pm on Saturday until 5am on Sunday
Forecast: Up to 3cm of snow could accumulate near the summit with lesser amounts to 800 metres.
Haast Pass (SH6)
Valid: From 2pm until 10pm on Saturday
Forecast: Up to 3cm of snow could accumulate on the road south of the summit.
Lindis Pass (SH8)
Valid: From 12pm on Saturday until 4am on Sunday
Forecast: Between 5cm and 10 cm of snow could accumulate near the summit with lesser amounts to 300 metres.
Crown Range Road
Valid: From 9am until 3pm on Saturday
Forecast: 2cm to 4cm of snow (possibly more) could accumulate near the summit with lesser amounts to 400 metres.
Milford Road (SH94)
Valid: From 7am to 1pm on Saturday
Forecast: 3cm to 5cm of snow (possibly more) could accumulate above 700 metres, with lesser amounts to 400 metres.
Tips for driving in icy or light snow conditions
• Drive slower than normal
• Slow ahead of bridge decks and shaded parts of the highway where it can be slippery with black ice a possibility.
• Avoid sudden braking or turning movements that can cause you to skid
• Gritted roads will help give traction but also require a slower speed
• Use your highest gear when travelling uphill and your lowest downhill
• Double the two second following rule at least - it takes longer to stop on ice
• If it is foggy, drive with your lights dipped
• Plan your trip to avoid the coldest times of the day or night if you can.
- Source: NZTA/Waka Kotahi
- ODT Online
