South Island hit by spring snow

Christchurch Airport had to suspend all flights out this morning and Lincoln University was closed as spring snow wreaked havoc in the South Island.


Airport spokeswoman Nicole Were said it was still snowing at the airport and all check-ins had been suspended until 2.30pm. Passengers had been told they could leave the airport terminal and re-book for tomorrow.


"Flights were able to arrive but they haven't been able to de-ice the planes in time for departure."


Ms Were said it was very unusual for snow to stop flights leaving.


Snow has been falling thoughout Canterbury today and Lincoln University spokeswoman Sarah Hannan said there was about 5cm lying on the ground.


"There was just concern for the safety of staff and students -- they may have been able to get out there but it could have been getting home that could have been the issue," she said.


Christchurch City Council has shut off some sections of road due to the snow.


"The council advises all drivers on hill roads to avoid travelling if possible and all other drivers to take care and reduce their speed," media officer Bryn Somerville said.


Roads affected included Dyers Pass, Rd and Summit Rd.


The council's rubbish and recycling contractor Onyx would not be collecting on the hills around the city.


In other cities around the South Island, Dunedin and Invercargill police had not received any reports of snow.


MetService lead forecaster Paul Bruce today said the snow would spread north.


"It's snowing in quite a few places, even a few showers extending to the West Coast."


Mr Bruce said 5-10cm of snow was predicted for Canterbury down to 100m and 15-25cm to about 300m.


Otago and Southland were also getting snow showers but they would not be as heavy.


Mr Bruce said Wellington would be feeling the southerly by about 6pm, the Rimutaka Hill Road could see some snow and the Central Plateau and the Desert Road would get heavy snowfalls down to about 600m.


Snow was unlikely to settle around Wellington as the ground temperature had been quite warm.


Mr Bruce said the snow was not unseasonal.


"It's not comparable to the big heavy snow falls we had in 1992... this is not going to be as bad as that."


He expected the heaviest snow to be over by dawn tomorrow.


Around the South Island, roads were treacherous this morning. State Highway 94 between Te Anau and Milford needed chains, and AA was advising chains to be carried throughout eastern Southland.


Snow had also fallen on State Highway 1 between Ashburton and Rakaia, State Highway 75 between Little River and Akaroa, State Highway 77 between Ashburton and Mt Hutt, and State Highway 73 between Springfield and Arthur's Pass in Canterbury.


Mr Somerville said all bus services would be suspended from midday.


With snow still falling hill roads were slippery and dangerous and the council was advising drivers to keep off them if possible, he said.


Many schools around Christchurch were either closed or closing because of the snow.


"The school closed at 9.50am, Monday the 19th of September due to the weather conditions," a recorded message at Papanui High School said.


"Please listen to Newstalk ZB for further updates for the school for Tuesday."


Christchurch police were urging drivers to take care, increase their following distances and reduce speed.


- NZPA