South Island travellers are being urged to take care with snow, heavy rain and strong winds predicted from this evening.
Photo: 123RF
Waka Kotahi said anyone travelling through alpine passes later today or tomorrow needs to be prepared for snow and much colder temperatures.
Roads that could be affected by snow include the Crown Range, Lindis Pass, Lewis Pass, Arthurs and Porters Passes.
The Milford Road is closed due to a high avalanche risk with the next update expected early tomorrow morning.
Waka Kotahi is asking people to check their route before heading off, carry extra supplies and chains if snow is a possibility.
Earlier today, MetService issued several warnings.
— MetService (@MetService) October 11, 2021
Snow is likely to affect many of the South Island alpine passes over the next two days.
Get all the details here: https://t.co/aIkbAHKg1S
Check in with @NZTA for any road closures. pic.twitter.com/KYU4qscd6v
Farmers were being urged to move vulnerable stock.
A band of heavy rain that's soaking the West Coast is expected to briefly hit the east from this evening.
MetService has issued an orange alert for heavy rain in the Westland ranges south of Otira with up to 100 millimetres expected by 9 pm.
Meteorologist Lewis Ferris said an active front is moving up the South Island and will be followed by a cold change.
He said many places will struggle to reach temperatures in the double digits.
Heavier snow is expected above 500 metres in some areas.
The Crown Range Road above Queenstown may have 5 to 10cm of snow settling above 700 metres, with lesser amounts down to 500m with snow flurries falling tomorrow as well.
The front is moving its way up the South Island and is likely to hit the North Island overnight.
Lots of action over the South Island today, but Te Waipounamu is somewhat hard to spot pic.twitter.com/rdkN8WyjQx
— MetService (@MetService) October 11, 2021
