Photos of yesterday's South Island snowfallsKEY POINTS:
Travellers were facing further delays today due to an icy southerly blast which swept through the country yesterday.
Christchurch Airport was also just getting its flight schedules back on time after several of its planes took an hour to have ice removed.
The Desert Road between Turangi and Waiouru remained closed due to snow today, as were several roads in Canterbury.
An airport spokesman said several flights were cancelled yesterday afternoon and though they resumed in the evening, there had been delays most of the morning due to the need for de-icing.
One service was delayed for 90 minutes due to the need to remove snow and ice layers, the spokesman said.
The Desert Road remained closed late this morning due to the snow, while police said road conditions were icy and very dangerous on all roads between Waipara and Cheviot in north Canterbury.
Northbound traffic was backed up some way on State Highway 1 at Greta Valley after the northbound lane was blocked by two trucks due to ice.
The inland road between Waiaui and Kaikoura was closed, and could be for some time with severe ice and frost forecast for tomorrow morning.
Also closed due to snow were SH87 between Outram and Middlemarch and SH85 at Kyeburn, while caution was required on several other South Island roads.
It is hoped Coronet Peak ski field will open to skiers today.
The Queenstown ski field was due to open for the new season yesterday, but rain spoiled the plan by melting snow. Marketing Manager David Ovendale says more snow fell yesterday afternoon and a decision on opening will be made this morning.
The weather also severely affected last night's rugby test between Ireland and the All Blacks, with several players saying it was the coldest playing conditions they could remember.
The front had gone much of the way up the North Island by late this morning.
- NZPA, NEWSTALK ZB
