Napier-Taihape Rd: Snow closes Hawke’s Bay hill pass road as cold airmass hits

The Napier-Taihape Rd was closed on Thursday morning.

Snow and icy conditions have closed a Hawke’s Bay hill pass on Thursday morning as cold weather swept across the country.

Rangitīkei District Council’s social media announced the closure of the Napier-Taihape Rd about 8.30am.

“The next notification of road status will be issued later this afternoon,” the update read. “This depends on the road conditions and the weather forecast.”

A Higgins spokesperson confirmed the closure points were between Moawhango and the Rangitīkei District Council/Hastings District Council boundary.

Hawke’s Bay’s state highways have been largely unaffected by the cold front sweeping the country, with State Highway 5, the Napier-Taupō Rd and State Highway 2, the Napier-Wairoa Rd, remaining open overnight.

The Desert Rd had received a dusting of snow overnight on Wednesday, and as of Thursday morning was closed between Taihape and Rangipo.

A dusting of snow was apparent over the Ruahine Range on Thursday morning. Photo / Warren Buckland

MetService meteorologist John Law said more showers were expected in the Rangitīkei region during the morning on the western side of the Ruahine Range and the Kaweka Forest park, falling as snow above 600 metres.

A dusting of snow was clearly visible from Hawke’s Bay on Thursday morning on the Ruahine Range.

Law also said there would be strong winds across the Takapau plains throughout the day, with strong southwesterly winds until the evening.

MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said temperatures across the Takapau plains reached 1.6C and Te Pōhue has a low of 4C overnight.

She said a low-pressure system with a southerly flow was bringing in a cold airmass. This has created snow and strong winds in many parts of the country.

“The next few days in Hawke’s Bay are expected to be quite on the chilly side,” she said.

“Tonight is still pretty cold, but it looks like Friday into Saturday night will be even colder.”

Mitchell Hageman joined Hawke’s Bay Today in late January. From his Napier base, he writes regularly on social issues, arts and culture, and the community.