All Air New Zealand flights in and out of the country's southernmost airports - including Queenstown - have been cancelled due to the worsening weather.
The national carrier today said the polar blast was causing disruption across much of the South Island with Dunedin, Invercargill and Queenstown flights now cancelled due to the wind and snow.
Twenty-six flights had so far been cancelled over the coming two days.
Moke Lake Queenstown on Monday. Photo / George Heard
A spokesperson said with the challenging conditions expected to last through to tomorrow the airline was now working through recovery flights for stranded passengers.
Further travel disruption is expected with the Interislander ferry cancelling all sailings tomorrow and likely to be extended into Wednesday.
A heavy snow watch is now in force for much of the country, stretching from the deep south to the centre of the North Island.
Moke Lake Queenstown on Monday. Photo / George Heard
Snow is falling and temperatures are starting to dive as the polar blast touches down bringing snow to sea level in parts of the south, huge seas and gales laced with a bitterly cold -20C windchill.
An enormous cold air mass straight off the Antarctic ice shelf is now hitting parts of the South Island with snow expected down to 100m in southernmost regions.
Heavy Snow Watch issued for CTAGO, CHCH, CLUTH, DNEDN, FIORD, KAPHOR, STHLD, TAIHP, WRAPA, WGTN https://t.co/8cIhCNGrdR
— MetService Severe Weather Info (@MetServiceWARN) June 27, 2021
MetService has now updated its forecast with heavy snow forecast across main centres of the South Island and across the Cook Strait, from Wellington up to the Volcanic Plateau.
An Otago highway is now closed by heavy snow with motorists being told to find another route.
Snow on the Crown Range summit on Monday morning. Photo / George Heard
Forecasters say the cold front will sweep northwards up the country during Monday, opening the freezer door to all of New Zealand.
The latest snow alert, which encompasses two-thirds of the country, will see snow start falling in the North Island tomorrow morning.
A road snowfall warning is now in place for the Napier-Taupo Rd, Desert Rd and Remutaka Hill Rd in the north along with a number of alpine passes in the south.
MetService says snow is expected to lower to 300m in the eastern hills of the capital city from around 10am.
Many of these regions will be hit by fierce winds with MetService issuing strong wind watches for eastern and central regions across New Zealand.
Niwa Weather says there is even the likelihood those in the south will see temperatures plummet to an icy -20C thanks to a "brutal" wind chill adding an icy sting during this week's polar blast.
❄ Snow in the south ❄
We've had quite a few South Island locations record snow overnight, such as 5cm near Homer, and 2cm in Clinton, Clutha.
Wild winds are already posing problems for central New Zealand with trees blown down across a road closing a section of State Highway 50 in Hawke's Bay.
Interislander executive general manager Walter Rushbrook said the situation was being reviewed constantly.
MetService is warning the severe gales bringing bitterly cold conditions across much of the South Island will cause stress to livestock, and thick settling snow expected to make driving hazardous.
SH87 KYEBURN TO OUTRAM, OTAGO - SNOW - 9:15AM Due to snow SH87 Kyeburn to Outram is now fully CLOSED. Please avoid the area & consider delaying your journey if possible. Remember to switch on your lights, increase your following distance & be prepared for unexpected hazards. ^AP pic.twitter.com/R1inv7vT88
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Otago & Southland (@WakaKotahiOS) June 27, 2021
Cold sleety rain is starting to fall in southern regions with heavy snow forecast to fall in Southland and Central Otago.
At 9.15am State Highway 87 between Outram and Kyeburn in Otago was closed by snow and motorists told to find an alternative route north.
The Ben Nevis range in Queenstown. Photo / George Heard
Snow and ice on the Crown Range in Queenstown has forced drivers to carry chains and drivers across the Wakatipu Basin and in Wanaka are being urged to watch for rockfall.
This morning Treble Cone was coated in 15cm of snow on the upper slopes and Cardrona has received around 10cm so far. Both mountains were expecting more snow this afternoon.
MetService has issued a swathe of storm warnings affecting most of the South Island, and eastern regions of the North Island.
Central Queenstown on Monday. Photo / George Heard
Road snowfall warnings are now in effect on all alpine passes with up to 8cm of snow expected to fall on worst affected areas.
There is snow and ice on the Crown Range. Grit has been applied and chains must be carried. Across the Whakatipu basin and in Wanaka we have cold temperatures and wet roads this morning. Watch for rockfall on Kingston Road, Haast Pass and Cromwell Gorge. https://t.co/RizeIM3yas
A warning comes into effect for the Dunedin to Waitati highway in Otago after lunch.
A heavy swell alert has also been issued for Wellington's coastline with 6m swells expected to batter the southern coast from Tuesday morning through to Thursday.
The South Island lies under a swathe of warnings as polar blast sweeps up the island today. Image / MetService
People who live in the affected area are being warned the worst is when the swells coincide with high tide.
MetService has also issued a warning about the severe gales expected to bring bitterly cold conditions across much of the South Island causing stress to livestock, and with snow forecast to affect many South Island roads and passes driving expected to be hazardous.
SH50 TIKOKINO, HAWKE'S BAY - FALLEN TREES - 7:20AM The road is now CLOSED, due to fallen trees near Makaroro Rd. Please follow directions by emergency services on-site and drive cautiously for unexpected road hazards. ^AP pic.twitter.com/mPHE6c2gOP
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Central North Island (@WakaKotahiCNI) June 27, 2021
There are also a number of strong wind warnings being issued across the North Island including the Desert Rd, Hawke's Bay and Manawatū for those driving high-sided vehicles or motorcycles to take extra care.
Despite a very warm June thus far, the month is going to end with plunging temperatures and wintry weather as southerlies bring us an air mass direct from Antarctica.
Make sure your coat🧥, gloves🧤, and hat are ready to go this week, because temperatures are going ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/IpRbduSA2R
MetService is warning heavy swells will cause problems around many coasts over the next few days.
Niwa principal scientist Chris Brandolino told The AM Show it would be a "big punch of cold air" from the heart of the ice continent with the South Island bearing the brunt of the storm.
He described the wind chill factor as "brutal" with the temperatures starting to dive into negative territory from after lunch.
Even the capital city would experience negative wind chill of -5C tomorrow on the back of strong gales.
