Wintry weather sweeps across country

Cold blast brings snow

MARK HOTTON

WHITE OUT: Snow blankets the Crown Terrace, above Arrowtown, where about 15cm of snow fell.

Early taste of winter

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An icy blast has this evening caused havoc for motorists with snow falling on the Desert Road and a large hail storm blocking roads in Rotorua.

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The central North Island is expected to bear the brunt of a very cold front tonight, with heavy snowfalls expected from Hunterville on the southern foothills of the Central Plateau to the summit of the Desert Road.

Police said the Rotorua region had experienced a large hail storm around 7pm. Roads from Nongotaha to Rotorua were covered two inches of slush and drivers should take care.

Snow has also begun falling on the Desert Road. Police said it was snowing moderately in the area and contractors were on site clearing roads.

Snow is also expected down to 400 metres on the Rimutaka Hill Road near Wellington tonight.

Motorists were advised to check road conditions before travelling.

The MetService has also issued a severe weather warning for Banks Peninsula, east of Christchurch, while a snow warning for Southland and eastern Otago has been lifted.

South Island motorists were being advised to be wary of icy roads at least until tomorrow afternoon.

Farmers should also ensure that vulnerable stock had shelter tonight, the MetService said. The cold conditions would be stressful to stock in the open.

"The whole country is under a very cold south west flow. It's a good taste of winter," MetService forecaster Chris Noble said.

Inter-island ferries were not sailing this morning due to the conditions, with one Bluebridge ship earlier today requesting a tug to assist with berthing in the strong Wellington winds.

Bluebridge spokeswoman Wendy Pannett said the ferry service had cancelled two sailings due to rough conditions in the strait, and was waiting to see if it needed to cancel more.

The Interislander had cancelled some of its morning ferries, though all afternoon ones were expected to sail.

In Otago, State Highway 87 between Outram and Middlemarch was closed due to snow. The North Island's Desert Road, closed due to snow this morning, reopened about 10am.

The MetService had a weather warning over Southland and eastern Otago with 5cm to 10cm of intermittent snow showers forecast over hills for the day, forecaster Chris Noble said.

Snow, sleet and hail should keep peppering Canterbury until tomorrow morning as the bitter southerly blast digs its toes in for almost another day.

Temperatures around Canterbury hovered between 1deg and 4deg today as icy showers, and snow to around 100m, were punctuated by sunny intervals.
 
Snow fell on the Port Hills and flurries have been reported in the western suburbs of Christchurch, with heavier snow showers further inland.
 
MetService spokesman Bob McDavitt said the coldest air was likely to arrive this evening and tonight, bringing more widespread snow showers and icy roads to much of the city for a time.

DESERT ROAD:  Snow showers are expected on the road at times through to tomorrow morning. In  the 24 hour period from 9am this morning to 9am Thursday morning, 5 to 10cm may  fall.  

RIMUTAKA HILL ROAD:  Snow showers are expected near the top of the road from later this afternoon  through to early tomorrow morning. Between 3pm today and 6am Thursday morning, 3  to 6cm could fall near the summit.

LINDIS PASS:  Light snow showers are expected on the road until later this afternoon. Between 9am and 6pm today, 1 to 2cm may fall.

PORTERS PASS:  Light snow showers are possible on the road from later this morning through to  early Thursday morning. Between 11am this morning and 6am Thursday, 3 to 6cm  could fall. 

MILFORD ROAD:  Light snow showers are expected on the road until later this afternoon, mostly  falling south of Lake Gunn. Between 9am and 6pm today, another 1 to 2cm may  fall. 

- NZPA with The Press