They said winter was coming and now it has finally arrived. Here's some vital information for you, before you go out and brave the conditions.
Weather forecast
The MetService has issued a severe weather warning for the following areas: Hawke's Bay, eastern Taupo, Taihape and the Kaikoura ranges.
The warning includes heavy snowfall and rain into Sunday. For more information click here.
Roads
The New Zealand Transport Authority (NZTA) reports the following roads are closed.
- SH 1 Rangipo To Waiouru ( Desert Road ). It advises those heading south to use SH46 and SH47 to National Park, take the left on to SH4 then left again on to SH49 to Waiouru. Reverse for north. This detour will add approximately 40 minutes to your journey time.
- SH5 Napier To Taupo, Hawke's Bay. North and south detours via Palmerston North or Gisborne. These detours will add approximately 4-5 hours to your journey time.
- SH2 Napier to Wairoa, Hawke's Bay. (Residents access only between Tutira and Wairoa due to flooding south of Raupunga.)
Across the South Island NZTA is warning people to watch for ice and grit particularly in shaded areas and on bridges. Chains should be carried when travelling the alpine passes.
Power may be cut again
Most parts of Hawke's Bay and Gisborne have now had power restored, following two region-wide faults caused by snow on transmission lines.
However Flaxmere near Hastings is still without power.
Lines company Unison is warning customers to expect more power cuts as heavy snowfall continues in the region. It said some small pockets could be without power for 24 hours.
Transpower said the weather may affect supply intermittently.
For further updates click here.
