No South Island highways are closed due to snow currently, however icy conditions are forecast to continue overnight and early tomorrow in many places.
Drivers are encouraged to check the NZ Transport Agency’s web pages before heading out and carry chains if in any doubt. Transport Agency Journey Manager Lee Wright says drivers need to be prepared, with blankets, food, water, phone charger, ready for changes in conditions.
Winter journeys travelling tips here.
Web cam(external link) of Dunedin’s Northern Motorway Leith Saddle.
- State Highway 1 north of Dunedin, Pine Hill to Waitati, is open.
- SH1 Pine Hill to Palmerston is open but closed to towing vehicles, care required.
- SH93 Mataura to Clinton, Southland, open, conditions have eased up.
- SH8 between Tekapo and Fairlie no restrictions but care needed.
- SH8 Twizel to Tekapo no restrictions but care needed.
- SH80 Aoraki/ Mount Cook – care needed.
- SH87 Middlemarch to Outram – care needed.
- SH6 Kawarau Falls to Lumsden – care needed.
- SH94 Te Anau to Milford – care needed, icy conditions.
- SH6 Makarora to Hawea has Stop/Go with rockfall warnings in place. Please travel during daylight hours through this route and build in time.
- SH6 Ross to Haast, South Westland –a strong wind warning is in place so high-sided vehicle drivers and motorcyclists need to take care.
- Check the Traffic Table or map for updates on alpine passes – Arthur’s, Porters, Lewis. The West Coast side of the divide has been clear all morning.
- North of the South Island - SH63 St Arnaud to Rainbow Skifield, SH60 Upper Takaka to Riwaka, SH6 Hope Saddle - snow and ice, care needed.
MetService heavy snow warning(external link).
See the NZ Transport Agency's travel and traffic page.
See Queenstown Lakes District website(external link) for details.
Call 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 94).
Twitter — Otago/Southland(external link)
Twitter — Canterbury/West Coast(external link)
Facebook — NZ Transport Agency South Island(external link)
