Black ice, fog on Southland roads

Weather conditions in the south are probably best described as brutal.

Several roads are again affected by ice after another heavy frost. They include the Milford Road, the highway between Mossburn and Te Anau and State Highway 94 between Lumsden and Balfour.

Police say there have already been a number of non-injury crashes in western Southland, Lumsden and Waikaka areas this morning.

Senior Sergeant Maggie Windle says black ice and fog have made many roads in rural Southland treacherous.

She says motorists need to take extra care, particularly when approaching bridges.

A couple of schools are also affected. Waikaka school delayed opening until 10am due to the icy conditions and pupils of Edendale School were advised to wear an extra layer of clothing as the boiler is not working to full capacity.

The expected high for Invercargill has been downgraded from eight to two degrees as the city shivers under a grey sky.

- NEWSTALK ZB