Snow has closed a large section of State Highway 73 in Canterbury as a wintry blast hits the South Island.
According to MetService, a "complex" low and frontal system is slowly moving over the South Island.
It's expected to bring a "prolonged period of heavy rain" that should turn into heavy snow for Inland parts of Canterbury and Otago.
A series of weather warnings have been issued.
Snow closed State Highway 73 between Springfield and Otira this morning.
NZ Transport Agency said "multiple rockfalls" had also been reported in the area and motorists were asked to avoid the area or delay their journeys.
State Highway 94 Te Anau to Milford Sound remains closed from the Lower Hollyford Road intersection to Donne River due to an avalanche risk.
Area warnings were also in place for surface flooding on SH6, from Makarora (Otago) to Fox Glacier (West Coast); and from Lake Wahapo (near Whataroa) to Harihari on the West Coast.
"The worst effects of the current winter storm are expected to unfold today, and people travelling around the South Island – especially inland and through alpine areas – are urged to keep an eye on weather forecasts and the status of the highways," the agency said.
Road snowfall warnings are currently in place for Lewis Pass (SH7), Arthur's Pass (SH73), Porters Pass (SH73), Lindis Pass (SH8), Crown Range Road, and Milford Road (SH94).
Orange heavy rain warnings were in place for Westland, the headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers about and south of Arthur's Pass, and the headwaters of the Otago lakes and rivers.
A heavy snow watch was in place for the Canterbury High Country south of the Rangitata River and Otago north of Arrowtown to Ranfurly.
Full list of weather warnings and watches:
Heavy Rain Warning – Orange
Westland – 40 hours from 8pm Wednesday to noon Friday.
Headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers about and south of Arthur's Pass – 15 hours from 9pm Thursday to noon Friday.
Headwaters of the Otago lakes and rivers – 12 hours from 2pm Thursday to 2am Friday.
Heavy Snow Watch
Canterbury High Country south of the Rangitata River and Otago north of Arrowtown to Ranfurly – 18 hours from midnight Wednesday to 6pm Thursday.
Road Snowfall Warnings
Lewis Pass (SH7) – 5 hours from 6am to 11am Thursday.
Arthur's Pass (SH73) – 10 hours from 2am to noon Thursday.
Porters Pass (SH73) – 12 hours from midnight Wednesday to noon Thursday.
Lindis Pass (SH8) – 13 hours from 2am to 3pm Thursday.
Crown Range Road – 11 hours from 4am to 3pm Thursday.
Milford Road (SH94) – 5 hours from 7am to noon Thursday.
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