State Highway 1 between Rangipo and Waiouru is closed this morning due to snow, as temperatures drop once again.
New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) said on its website that the Desert Rd was closed just after 9pm yesterday, and a detour remained in place this morning.
"For northbound traffic turn left onto SH49, right onto SH4, right onto SH47, right onto SH46 and then left back onto SH1. Reverse for southbound.
"Please note, this detour will add at least 40 minutes to your journey time," NZTA said.
MetService said it would be a "frosty start to the week!"
"It’s a cold start, especially for those who had clear skies last night. Mount Cook plummeted to -8C, Tekapo to -5C and Queenstown -4C overnight," the forecaster said online.
"We’re now in a cold airmass so although temperatures will climb through the day it will still be on the cooler side," it said.
Highs of 12C were forecast for Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin today, but only 9C for Wellington.
On Saturday, snow warnings were issued for parts of the central South Island's alpine passes, including the Desert Rd where MetService said 3 to 6cm could settle about the summit from Sunday morning.
These warnings have since expired, but meteorologist Gerard Bellam said the cold was due to linger in the coming days.
"We've got a good cold, wintry outbreak," Bellam said. "These temperatures are still going to be below average for this time of year."
NZTA urged motorists to plan ahead and travel with care, warning drivers to check conditions before setting out, especially on inland and alpine routes.
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