Snow dump hits parts of South Island, closing roads and trapping cars

A heavy dumping of snow has prompted some road closures and seen vehicles trapped in parts of the South Island this morning.

MetService has lifted most of its watches and warnings issued over Labour Day into early this morning, with just one heavy rain warning remaining in place for the eastern ranges of Bay of Plenty until this afternoon, and some snow watches and warnings.

It reported that Mount Cook received about 20cm of snow last night, with more to come.

A 1News reporter in Dunedin said half-a-dozen cars had been stuck at Pine Hill overnight.

New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) confirmed four vehicles off the side of State Highway 1 in snow on the south side of Leith Saddle (north of Dunedin) were due to be towed out about 10.30am this morning.

A spokesperson said this may mean some temporary disruption for traffic in this area.

“Additionally, due to a fire, State Highway 1 at Herbert, in Otago, is now closed. The highway is closed between Cullen and Ord Streets. Northbound traffic should turn left onto Cullen street, right onto Monk street, right onto Ord street and left back onto SH1. The reverse applies for southbound traffic,” NZTA said.

Some road snowfall warnings and heavy snow warnings were issued for parts of the South Island including Canterbury High Country south of SH73, Queenstown Lakes District about and north of Wānaka, and Central Otago about and north of Ranfurly.

Road closures

Shortly before 10am, NZTA shared an updated list of which state highways remained closed due to snow and fallen trees.

These were:

“Road users are advised to delay their journeys or avoid the areas,” an NZTA spokesperson said.

NZTA said previously closed State Highway 83 between Omarama and Kurow, State Highway 8 from Tarras to Omarama, including Lindis Pass, State Highway 85 between Kyeburn and Palmerston and and State Highway 87 between Kyeburn and Mosgiel, have all now reopened after earlier closures.

Road users should take extra care when using these routes.

State Highway 94/Milford Sound Highway had also reopened but would close again at 5pm today for evening snow expected.

Power outages in Clutha

Speaking to Breakfast, Clutha District Council said it was managing a State of Emergency due to damaged roads and widespread power outages affecting 2500 properties.

Clutha District Council Group Controller Jules Witt and Clutha District Mayor-elect Jock Martin told Breakfast some properties in Clutha could still be without power for another week.

Martin said the community had come together to support one another in the wake of last week’s bad weather, including isolated and rural residents without power.

“The community has really banded together and set up pop-up community-led welfare centres in the middle of nowhere. The local fire brigades have opened up, so people can share, do their washing and so forth.

“So, yeah, that’s been very challenging times, to be quite honest, really challenging, but the community is banding together,” Martin said.

Witt said they were in the hands of PowerNet, and would support their contractors to get power restored to the remaining properties.

Full watches and warnings list

Heavy Rain Warning – Orange

The eastern ranges of Bay of Plenty – twenty hours from 8pm Monday to 4pm today.

Heavy Snow Warning – Orange

Canterbury High Country south of SH73, Queenstown Lakes District about and north of Wānaka, and Central Otago about and north of Ranfurly – 15 hours from 8pm Monday to 11am today.

Strong wind warning

Chatham Islands – nine hours from midnight Monday to 9am today.

Heavy Snow Watch

Banks Peninsula – eight hours from 5am today to 1pm today.

Road snowfall warnings

Arthur’s Pass (SH73) – 13 hours from 3am today to 4pm today.

Desert Road (SH1) – four hours from noon today to 4pm today.

Haast Pass (SH6) – ten hours from 10pm Monday to 8am today.

Lewis Pass (SH7) – 12 hours from 6am today to 6pm today.

Porters Pass (SH73) – 14 hours from 10pm Monday to noon today.