White-out in Dannevirke as 40cm of snow falls

Freezing overnight temperatures yesterday saw Dannevirke blanketed in deep snow. Photos / Christine McKay

With up to 40 centimetres of snow around Dannevirke, motorists were being warned to take care on the roads.

At the Tararua District Council, Peter Wimsett, manager strategy and district development, said the council was in "operational mode" and waiting to see what the weather would bring, but there was quite a lot of surface flooding throughout the district.

Esther McHardy makes her way down Queen St before 8am yesterday morning.

"As the snow turned to slush, motorists were having problems and it seems the snow is worse in Dannevirke than further south in Woodville," Mr Wimsett said.

Freezing overnight temperatures yesterday saw Dannevirke blanketed in deep snow. Photos / Christine McKay

Screeching of brakes and the occasional fish-tail were signs motorists were being caught out by the snow and slush. A snowfall of this intensity is normally only experienced once every six years or so in Dannevirke. Yesterday morning the Pahiatua/Pongaroa Rd was closed and there was flooding on Huxley and Tiraumea Streets in Pahiatua.

Snow piled high on the window of a Victoria Ave house. Photo / Christine McKay

"This is just a good winter storm at this stage," Mr Wimsett said. "But already we're seeing interruption to cellular services, some wireless, internet and power fluctuations."

However, Mr Wimsett said with high winds predicted to sweep through later today, he was expecting there would be trouble with slips and trees falling.

Snow-capped lemons added a bright note to Dannevirke's white-out. Photo / Christine McKay

At Otope, east of Dannevirke, landscape gardener Sue Buchanan said trees were snapping and breaking under the strain of the wet snow and high winds. "It's a big white-out and a big clean-up to be done," she said.

Looking north east from Umutaoroa Rd on the outskirts of Dannevirke. Photo / Christine McKay

At 10am yesterday Mr Wimsett said wind gusts of up 168 kilometers an hour were being recorded at Castlepoint in Waiarapa and a coastal weather station in our area was recording wind at 57/km an hour, gusting up to 112km.

Coronation Park on Guy St, looking towards the Ruahine Ranges with snow clouds down. Photo / Christine McKay

"It's about hunkering down and not travelling unless you have to," he said.

Police were also urging motorists to avoid the Saddle Rd until the weather cleared.

Snowmen on Guy St. Photo / Christine McKay