Icy mornings, late afternoons continue around central/southern/eastern South Island

Drive for the ice, says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) to South Island drivers.

Several places around the central and lower South Island/Te Wai Pounamu have ice warnings this morning – the same places as earlier this week.

People need to slow on patches of highway that have not had a chance to thaw out this week or get little sun, as well as bridge decks, which don’t warm up in winter like roads.

“These conditions are likely to continue this week and into the early weekend,” says Mark Pinner, System Manager, NZTA for Central South Island. “Expect some sections of ice-affected highway to reopen mid-morning and close overnight as required, and places like Porters Pass may have restrictions.”

The Opihi River Bridge, SH8, near the turn-off to the Mt Dobson skifield, this morning.

SH8, a km down the road, closer to Burkes Pass.

South Canterbury: One overnight closure – 11am next update

One highway is likely to remain closed until later this morning – Burkes Pass, SH8 between Lake Tekapo and Fairlie. It was closed overnight given the icy conditions and lack of sunlight yesterday to dry out the highway.  (See image above).

Canterbury update - Journey Planner(external link)

Surrounding highways like SH80 to Mt Cook/ Aoraki and SH8 Lake Tekapo to Twizel will be icy this morning and drivers need to slow down.

Minus -9 degrees in the Mackenzie Basin overnight at road level

NZTA’s Downer team reports that road temperatures dropped down to -9 degrees Wednesday night in the Mackenzie Basin – with resultant ice issues all over the network this morning. Extra grit truck runs are covering SH8 and SH80 this morning.

The 50km/h or 70km/h recently installed temporary speed limits between Simons Pass, south of Tekapo, and Twizel could be reintroduced this week given ice forecasts.

West Coast-Canterbury: all highways open, Porters restrictions off now

Restrictions on Porters Pass, between Springfield and Castle Hill, SH73, have now come off, as of 9.25 am today.

Winds could still be strong on the Lewis Pass to Reefton (SH7) and SH73 between Kumara Junction and Arthur’s Pass – high-sided vehicle drivers and motorcyclists, beware.  There are still strong wind gusts in isolated places throughout the West Coast, so drive with care given the potential for tree branches and other unexpected items to have blown onto roads.

Otago – highways open, care needed everywhere

There are ice warnings on the highways inland and north of Dunedin – SH85 Palmerston to Kyeburn, SH87 Kyeburn to Middlemarch to Outram and SH1 Waitati to Dunedin over the Leith Saddle. 

People are encouraged to drive with extreme care this week as the icy conditions continue, particularly mornings and evenings.  Elsewhere in Otago and Southland, ice should be expected after frosty mornings, even where highways are open with no warnings posted – including the Lindis Pass (see photo below taken this week).

Check before you go

Please check NZTA’s highway map before setting out around the central and southern South Island, particularly overnight in winter and in the morning. Avoid night-time travel if you can.

Journey Planner(external link)

Tips for safe journeys this winter

• Drive slower than you normally would – it only takes a split second to lose control in wet or icy conditions.
• Avoid sudden braking or turning movements that could cause you to skid.
• Accelerate smoothly and brake gently.
• Use your highest gear when travelling uphill and your lowest downhill.
• For vehicles without anti-skid braking systems, to avoid skidding or sliding, smoothly pump the brake pedal in short bursts rather than pressing long and hard.
• Drive at a safe travelling distance because it takes longer to stop on slippery roads.
• In winter, especially in frosty or icy weather, double the two-second rule to four seconds and leave a safe distance between you and the car you’re following.
• When travelling in fog, rain or snow, drive with your lights dipped for increased safety.
• Makes sure everyone is wearing their seat belt throughout the full journey.
• Plan your trip to avoid the coldest times of the day or night if you can.