The winter storm that brought snow and heavy rain to many parts of the South is moving north, but many roads in the region remain affected in its wake this morning.
The New Zealand Transport Agency advises that the following southern highways are closed owing to snow: SH94 Te Anau-Milford, SH85 Morrisons-Kyeburn, SH6 Haast-Makarora, SH8 the Lindis Pass. Several highways further north are closed as well.
Cardrona woke up to a massive dump of snow. Photo / Supplied
The bad weather that blanketed parts of the South Island in snow yesterday is slowly creeping north, bringing showers and strong winds.
Yesterday, Otago and Canterbury temperatures plunged to 0C as a warm flow coming from the Tasman Sea and a cold southern blast collided, creating showers and chilling temperatures.
Snow could still possibly fall today, however those further south are more likely to see showers and strong winds, MetService meteorologist Rebekah LaBar said.
"[We are] looking at generally showery conditions, but freezing levels will start to gradually rise so we're not looking at as much snow, at least at low levels, for the South Island."
Ms LaBar said the frontal system that brought rain and snow to the South Island would begin to affect places in the North Island today into tomorrow.
Chuck Berry, of Queenstown, puts on chains at the foot of the Crown Range Rd near Arrowtown. Photo / Guy Williams
Earlier report
Snow missed central Queenstown yesterday, but settled on the higher suburbs of Fernhill and Queenstown Hill and outlying residential areas such as Shotover Country, Lakes Hayes Estate, Arthurs Point and Arrowtown.
Wakatipu High School, Remarkables Primary School, Queenstown Primary School, Arrowtown School, Shotover Primary School and St Joseph's School were all closed.
Queenstown Airport communications manager Jen Andrews said flights were disrupted throughout yesterday morning with a total of eight flights in and four flights out being cancelled.
The snow was a blessing for skifields: Coronet Peak ski area manager Ross Copland said 5cm an hour fell on the mountain during the snowfall's peak intensity yesterday morning.
''This is shaping up to be the biggest single dump we've had since 2010.''
Wanaka
Cardrona Alpine Resort was closed because of snow described on its website as a ''blizzard''. More than 30mm of rain fell in Wanaka between 4am and 2pm yesterday, causing surface flooding in Aubrey Rd and other low-lying streets.
Alexandra, Cromwell, Roxburgh and Clutha missed the worst of the weather.
Waitaki-Mackenzie
In the Waitaki Valley and Mackenzie Basin, snow began falling about noon, eventually closing SH8 between Fairlie and the Lindis Pass.
Chaos ensued in the Lindis Pass when several vehicles jack-knifed or became stuck, making it difficult for emergency services to reach a man who had suffered a stroke near the top of the pass.
A member of the Omarama Fire Brigade's first response unit, Terry Walsh, said fire and ambulance units could not reach the man, but after some delays, a first response four-wheel-drive vehicle was able to take the man to Twizel for treatment.
Snow on Leven St in Naseby. Photo / Adrian Hood, ODT
By about 4pm, 25cm snow had settled in Omarama and was expected to continue through the night.
Accommodation in Omarama filled rapidly as motorists became trapped by the closure of highways leading into the township.
Snow was widespread throughout the Mackenzie Basin from Twizel to Mt Cook and Tekapo to Burkes Pass.
About 10cm had fallen in Otematata by late afternoon, and had begun to settle at Kurow and Tokarahi.
The snow was expected to spread down the Waitaki Valley and into inland areas of North Otago overnight.
Aurora Energy spokesman Gary Johnson said heavy snow could damage overhead lines and disrupt power.
He advised householders to get adequate food supplies, warm clothing and bedding, torch and spare batteries, battery radio and an alternative source of heating and cooking.
