Snow

Queenstown-Lakes Mayor Vanessa van Uden believes the council could have done "a lot" better during this winter's polar blasts.

Significant snow warnings for Otago have been lifted by MetService as the polar blast moves north.

The "polar blast", so named by an excited media, has roared its way from the Antarctic and given New Zealand a real taste of winter.

Dunedin drivers with cars left awkwardly and sometimes illegally parked across the city after heavy snowfall were given a day's grace yesterday, with no parking enforcement by the Dunedin City Council.

Snow left hundreds of passengers stranded at Queenstown Airport yesterday and roads throughout the region were closed last night, but forecasters warn the worst is yet to come.

Passengers left stranded at Dunedin International Airport on Sunday night because of flight cancellations were yesterday critical of Air New Zealand.

Farmers were prepared for this week's wintry blast and it is not expected livestock will be detrimentally affected.

The polar blast that has hammered the South has brought snow to all parts of the region. ODT readers have been out capturing images with their cameras.

Newborn lambs and calves might be in for a chilly start to their lives as the chance of more snow storms remains high over the next 12 weeks, WeatherWatch.co.nz says.

Snow showers are possible on Dunedin's hills this weekend, MetService says.

The worst of the snow appears to be over for southern areas, but authorities are worried an overnight frost could bring fresh challenges.

An elderly woman trapped in her Dunedin home since Sunday is upset the Dunedin City Council will not grit her frozen street.

About 220 stranded motorists, including families with young children, were sheltering in the Waitati Hall, north of Dunedin, last night, as a bitterly cold winter blast closed roads across Otago and Southland.

Icy night-time driving conditions kept several state highways around Dunedin closed last night, after snow and sleet showers earlier in the day created havoc in the region for motorists.

Extreme caution on the Crown Range pass is being urged this weekend, as school holidays begin and skiers head outdoors.

Queenstown's first major snowfall for the winter left the district a white canvas yesterday, with snow down to lake level, more than 1000 airline passengers affected - and winter sports enthusiasts thrilled.

The Remarkables skifield was freshened with up to 10cm of snow on Sunday night, ski area manager Ross Lawrence said yesterday.