KEY POINTS:
A cool northwest flow over the North Island is bringing squally thunderstorms, snow and rain.
MetService forecaster Ian Miller said parts of Wellington and the Wairarapa will be buffeted by gusts of up to 120km an hour.
Mr Miller said the West Coast will get a dumping of snow on Friday while the Taranaki region and the central North Island will get heavy rain, turning to snow above 600m.
The snow will effect the Desert Rd and others in the National Park area where this morning police team leader Chris Turner warned that State Highway 47 was only passable for 4WDs.
Meanwhile MetService is forecasting snow for four of the South Island passes, the Milford Rd and the North Island's Desert Rd.
The Lewis, Lindis, Porters and Arthurs Pass have had snow showers overnight with further falls later this afternoon and into Friday morning.
The Homer Tunnel on the Milford Rd had 10cm of snow yesterday afternoon and more snow is expected through to tonight.
Further north, showers on the Desert Rd will create slushy conditions at this afternoon with a fresh dumping tomorrow.
- NZHERALD STAFF
