The South Island is experiencing cold, freezing weather, snow, sleety showers and ice today. Driving is treacherous in many places and drivers need to slow down on both icy roads and gritted roads.
“Please think carefully on whether you need to get in your car today and if you do, drive to the conditions – slowly, with chains for the alpine passes,” says NZ Transport Agency Journey Manager Lee Wright.
Many roads in Otago are affected by ice, with freezing fog. In Southland, there are numerous road area warnings of ice and black ice.
For full background tips on winter driving, read our media release from 10 July 2017.
Road snowfall warnings: please check for updates on the MetService snow updates page(external link).
Alpine passes may all be affected by snow from midday today, mainly on the higher parts of the road – Arthur’s Pass and Porter’s Pass (SH73), Lewis Pass (SH7), Lindis Pass (SH8), Haast Pass (SH6), the Milford Road (SH94) and the Dunedin to Waitati Highway (SH1).
More snow may fall at Porter’s Pass (SH73) from Tuesday evening through to Thursday – 15-20 cm or more near the summit.
Drivers are advised to take care on a number of highways. For an updated list of areas where caution warnings are in place, visit our Travel and traffic page(external link).
As of this morning, 10 am, caution due to ice and black ice is required on:
| Area | Road condition |
|---|---|
| SH6 Arrow Junction to Kingston | ice |
| SH6A Frankton to Queenstown | ice |
| SH80 Aoraki Mount Cook National Park to Ben Ohau | ice |
| SH82 Kurow to Waimate | ice |
| SH6 Ross to Haast Pass | ice |
| SH8 Clarksville To Raes Junction | ice |
| SH90 Raes Junction to Mcnab | ice |
| SH1 Palmerston to Balclutha | ice |
| SH87 Kyeburn to Mosgiel | black ice |
| SH85 Palmerston to Kyeburn | black ice |
| SH94 Te Anau to Milford | Road was closed overnight due to ice but has since reopened with care required. No towing vehicles. |
“Drivers using the alternate Picton to Christchurch route via St Arnaud and the Lewis Pass/ Murchison will need to allow extra time and patience. A change has been made to the way the Lewis Pass, State Highway 7, will be managed over the winter months. It will either be ‘open’ or ‘closed’ rather than having the usual restrictions of ‘chains essential’ and ‘no towing’. Extra Police presence will be on the route over the winter months,” says Ms Wright.
If you live in Queenstown Lakes District, or travel to and from Queenstown, sign up for QLDC’s winter road reports(external link).
