Parts of the South Island brace for heavy snowfall with orange warnings in place for parts of Otago and Canterbury. Video / Cam Winter, George Heard
Heavy snow warnings are in place for parts of the South Island as snow continues to fall, affecting roads and causing power outages.
Southern Canterbury High Country and inland Otago, and also possibly northern Southland, are expected to receive heavy snowfall today, according to MetService.
Snowfall in Alexandra, Central Otago. Photo / Linnet Julius
In its latest forecast, MetService says Canterbury High Country south of the Rakaia River can expect 10cm to 20cm of snow to settle above 500m, with lesser amounts down to 300m across the day.
The region is currently under a heavy snow warning.
Snow was expected to clear from the south this afternoon and evening.
Heavy snow fall in Queenstown on Friday morning. Photo / Dhariwal Harpreet
Queenstown’s Wakatipu High School and Alexandra’s Dunstan High School have closed for the day due to the weather conditions.
About 6.45am, Queenstown Lakes District Council said the Crown Range Rd was closed by snow.
Stella the dog plays in the snow in Wanaka.
One person travelling through the wider Queenstown region said driving at times has been “difficult”, with heavy snow and “black ice” on the roads.
“It started snowing heavy at Lindis Pass around 4am ... [There was] black ice at some places and as the morning proceeded heavy snow made it a bit difficult to drive from Cromwell to Queenstown,” they said.
A fallen tree at Arthurs Point has now been partially cleared by the Queenstown Lakes District Council, allowing one-lane traffic through the area.
Elsewhere, a heavy rain watch is in place for Westland south of Haast through to noon, while Aurora Energy said power was out to about 3500 customers in Central Otago early today.
State Highway 85, between Omakau and Palmerston, and Danseys Pass Rd, are also currently closed.
Heavy snow fall in Queenstown on Friday morning. Photo / Dhariwal Harpreet
The Central Otago District Council said teams are out gritting and ploughing roads, and advised motorists to reduce speeds.
A council spokesperson said there was snow in most places around Roxburgh, Alexandra and Cromwell.
“Roads are holding warmth from recent good weather so around the towns it is mostly just wet roads. Expect some pockets of surface flooding and areas of snow in rural high areas,” they said.
Central Otago District mayor Tim Cadogan told RNZ’s Morning Report said that the snow was a great surprise.
Heavy snowfall in Queenstown. Photo / Jono Green
He got a “helluva fright” when he opened his curtains in the town of Clyde and saw that it was “very, very white”.
Queenstown’s Orbus bus service has faced delays this morning, with routes being delayed or suspended.
Heavy snowfall in Queenstown. Photo / Jono Green
“Our bus depot and most of our drivers are snowed in. We are currently unable to operate safely and will resume services as soon as we can,” it said on social media at 6am.
“4WDs have been out all morning picking up our drivers and we will keep you updated on Facebook, the Orbus website and Transit app.”
SNOW - 10:10AM, FRI 13 SEP The following roads are CLOSED, due to snow and ice: CLOSED • SH6 Haast to Makarora • SH80 Lake Pukaki to Mount Cook pic.twitter.com/44USIPDPvq
— NZ Transport Agency - Canterbury & West Coast (@nztacwc) September 12, 2024
A new 24-hour rain alert has been issued for western and central parts of the North Island.
MetService says Waitomo, Taumarunui, Taupō, Taihape and northern Taranaki can expect rain to start falling from midnight tonight and continue until midnight Saturday.
The regions are currently under a heavy rain watch with the forecaster warning there was a moderate chance of it being upgraded.
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