Snow on cars in Mornington, Dunedin, on Tuesday morning. Photo: RNZ / Tim Brown
Snow has fallen in Christchurch and Dunedin, and is disrupting travel in both islands, while high winds have brought down power lines in the North.
Temperatures dropped overnight in the South Island as a blast of cold weather moved northwards bringing show showers to many areas.
In Dunedin, driving was treacherous, buses in the hill suburbs were cancelled and schools started the day late. Police had advised motorists to avoid travel in the city's hill suburbs because of the icy conditions.
Snow settled on cars in the Dunedin hill suburbs on Tuesday. Photo: RNZ / Tess Brunton
State Highway 87 was closed between Middlemarch and Outram, while SH1 between Dunedin and Waitati reopened after being closed early morning.
Snow on New Brighton beach, Christchurch, on Tuesday. Photo: Supplied / Emma Derrick
Snow fell to sea level in New Brighton beach, coating the sand white after the dumping.
Snow is falling down to sea level in parts of north Canterbury, including Christchurch!
— MetService (@MetService) September 5, 2022
⛄ One of our meteorologists woke up to this view in Rolleston
❄ Make sure to follow any updates from @NZTA about roads that are closed or affected by snow
ℹ https://t.co/hnwmGxCYeR pic.twitter.com/29cxYyJAWZ
⛄ It's snowing in Karori!
— MetService (@MetService) September 5, 2022
❄ We're currently receiving reports of snow from some of the higher Wellington suburbs, including Johnsonville and Churton Park!
People of #Wellington, send us your footage of what the sky's up to wherever you are! ❤ pic.twitter.com/ay2f8swe2M
In the north, the Desert Road was closed between Waiouru and Rangipō. The Napier-Taupō Road (SH5) reopened after being closed due to snow.
There were snow flurries on Transmission Gully (SH1) north of Wellington, and also reported in the Wellington hill suburb of Brooklyn. Snow showers were expected on the Remutaka Hill Road between Wellington and Wairarapa until 10am.
MetService has forecast heavy rain and strong to gale force winds in Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Taupō and Taihape.
A farm dog at Glenham, Southland, has a chilly start to the working day. Photo: Supplied / Dean Rabbidge
The early morning cold snap also produced a rainbow above New Brighton Beach, Christchurch. Photo: Supplied / Emma Derrick
Planes at Christchurch Airport were having to be de-iced, delaying some departures. Photo: RNZ / Maree Mahony
Skifields at Ruapehu had a new blast of snow, with staff estimating a cover of 15-20cm at Whakapapa and 20-25cm of snow at Tūroa. But due to high winds and avalanche risk, all facilities at both skifields are closed for the day.
Gales in the North Island left hundreds of people were without power early on Tuesday.
In Hawera, wind brought lines down, cutting power to 135 households, and in 121 households in Morrinsville were without power due to trees falling on lines.
Fallen trees also took out power lines on SH1 south of Kaitaia and about 500 people were without power.
CENTRAL NORTH ISLAND - ROADS CLOSED - 6:30AM
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Waikato/BoP (@WakaKotahiWaiBP) September 5, 2022
Due to snowfall overnight both #SH5 - between Taupo and Napier - and #SH1 (Desert Rd) between Rangipo and Waiouru - are CLOSED. Please delay your journey. https://t.co/QPPc6I0uKu ^TP pic.twitter.com/8GfnvL6gD6
