'Extreme care' urged on South Island roads as snow prompts closures

Road users in the South Island are being urged to take "extreme care" this morning after an earlier closure due to snow.

Yesterday, snow was forecast for several South Island roads, with strong winds in Invercargill and frosts expected across much of the country later this week.

New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said part of State Highway 73 between Christchurch and the West Coast was closed earlier due to the snow.

The section between Springfield and Arthurs Pass Village, including Porters Pass, was closed just before 4am, and reopened about 5.20am.

"While 'winter' driving conditions also persist in other parts of the South Island today, including State Highway 1 Dunedin to Waitati, there are no current state highway closures in the South," an NZTA spokesperson said.

MetService had two road snowfall warnings still in place, for Desert Rd in the North Island and Lewis Pass (SH7) in the South Island until 9am.

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Cold snap brings snow to South Island roads, gales and frost ahead

Road snowfall warnings are in place across multiple alpine routes, with MetService also forecasting a widespread frost later in the week.

New Zealand

11:23am

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The forecaster said snow showers would clear slowly this morning, and another 1cm could accumulate above about 700 metres.

Yesterday MetService said temperatures across the country were set to plunge, with Auckland forecast to drop to 4C on Thursday before the next weather system arrives on Friday.