Snow warning for Crown Range, alpine passes

MetService has advised holidaymakers to take care on the roads as an "intense front" moves over the South.

Parts of the South Island are set to be affected by snow and rain as a cold front moves up the country on Sunday.

MetService has advised holidaymakers to take care on the roads as an “intense front” moves up the country this King’s Birthday Weekend.

‘’This front is followed by a cold outbreak bringing snow to inland parts of the South Island, affecting higher roads and possibly damaging powerlines. On Sunday, there is likely to be warning amounts of snow for inland Otago and for the Canterbury High Country, south of the Rangitata River.’’

The front and low then move northeast over central and northern New Zealand from Sunday afternoon to early on Monday, bringing rain to most places, with brief heavy falls likely in the west of the South Island.

Much colder southerly winds follow the front, which should bring the snow level down to around 400 to 500 metres in Canterbury, Otago, Southland and Fiordland.

It’s likely that several of the higher South Island roads will be affected by snow, and high country farmers in Otago and Canterbury are advised to prepare for the potential of significant snowfall.

Updated Severe Weather information. Details at https://t.co/qHyE5zzql5 pic.twitter.com/b4artlE3Lt

— MetService (@MetService) June 3, 2023

MetService updated warnings for most alpine roads late on Sunday morning to advise of less snow than previously forecast, particularly for Canterbury alpine roads, which had been forecast to get 15cm-20cm of snow.

However, more snow was now expected on the Crown Range, linking Queenstown and Wanaka, from about 10am today. MetService said 5 to 10cm of snow (or more) may settle on the road near the summit, with lesser amounts to 500 metres.

Snow began settling on the summit from about 10am. The Queenstown Lakes District Council said late this morning chains must now be fitted when traveling via Crown Range due to conditions caused by ongoing snowfall.

“Grit has been applied near the summit, so extra caution is advised. Temperatures are dropping, with ice is expected to form in other areas of the road.

“Crews will continue to monitor the situation. Remember, if you regularly travel over the Crown Range chains should be carried all winter.”

In Central Otago, there was a mixture of wet and dry roads across the district this morning, with a strong breeze making its way through Whakatipu and the Upper Clutha.

However, a snow watch was in place for Central Otago about and west of Alexandra, including the Queenstown Lakes District, from 8am until 2pm on Sunday, MetService said.

Snow was expected to lower to 500 metres and snow amounts may approach short duration warning criteria, especially above 700 metres where the largest accumulations were expected.

A heavy snow watch was also in place for the Canterbury High Country, about and north of Rangitata River, from 4pm on Sunday until 1am on Monday. Snow may lower to 400 metres, with heavy snow expected above 700 metres.

People are advised to keep up-to-date with the latest forecasts, snow warnings and to take care on the roads during King’s Birthday Weekend.

Snow for alpine roads

MetService late on Sunday morning revised down warnings for most alpine roads. Just snow showers were now expected for the Milford Road (State Highway 94) in Southland.

Further north, snow was set to affect Canterbury alpine passes including Porters Pass (SH73), which may get up to 8cm and Arthur’s Pass (SH73), which was forecast to get up to 5cm on Sunday evening until Monday morning.

Milford Road (SH94)From 11am until 2pm: A few light snow showers on Sunday but little, if anything, is expected to settle on the road.

Crown Range RoadFrom 11am until 2pm: 5 to 10cm of snow (or more) may settle on the road near the summit on Sunday, with lesser amounts to 500 metres.

Lindis Pass (SH8)

From 11am until 2pm: Snow to 500 metres on Sunday. Some 5 to 10cm of snow (or more) may settle on the road above 700 metres, with lesser amounts lower down.

Porters Pass (SH73)From 4pm on Sunday until 6am on Monday: Snow is forecast to lower to 700 metres on Sunday afternoon, and 2 to 8cm of snow may settle on the road near the summit, with lesser amounts lower down.

Arthurs Pass (SH73)From 5pm on Sunday until 6am on Monday: Snow expected to lower to 700 metres on Sunday afternoon, and 3 to 5cm of snow may settle on the road near the summit, with lesser amounts down.

Lewis Pass (SH7)From 8pm on Sunday until 8am on Monday: Snow is forecast to lower to 700 metres on Sunday evening, and 3 to 5cm of snow may settle on the road near the summit, with lesser amounts lower down.