Cold spell to continue through to next week

Winter hits New Zealand

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FENCED IN: Fields of white.

Central plateau covered in snow

MARK HOTTON

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

MARK HOTTON/ The Press

DEEP FREEZE: Snow blankets the Crown Terrace, above Arrowtown, in Central Otago yesterday.

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Bad weather continues to plague the country with slips in the central North Island and avalanche warnings in place.

Do you have any photos of the wild weather? Email editorial@stuff.co.nz

The cold spell across the country is expected to continue into next week, MetService spokesman Bob McDavitt said.

Windy cold conditions were easing, but another cold front was forecast to cross the South Island tonight and tomorrow morning, then hit the north in tomorrow afternoon and evening, he said.

"This is likely to bring a further burst of cold southerly winds and snowy showers to the south and east of the South Island and southern half of the North Island."

Drivers should check conditions before travelling as ice on inland roads was likely to make conditions hazardous until early next week, Mr McDavitt said.

The southerly winds were expected to die out in the South Island during Sunday and Monday and by Wednesday in the North.

However, clearing skies were likely to bring frosty conditions inland, he said.

This afternoon a large slip blocked the north bound lane of State Highway 1, about 2km south of Mangaweka, 22km south of Taihape.

Meanwhile, sleet caused a number of slips along Pipiriki Raetihi Rd, west of Raetihi, 12km south of Ohakune.

The Desert Road had been closed earlier today – a truck and trailer having jack-knifed this morning, blocking both lanes north of Waiouru.

Seven trucks which became stranded on SH4, north of Ohakune, from around 3am, unable to negotiate the incline through the National Park as snow and ice coated the roads.

Roading crews worked this morning to free them as the road warmed enough to clear a path.

Black ice in Taranaki meant a number of vehicles slid off the road, although no injuries were reported.

Police patrol cars were out leading traffic as most crashes were caused by people going too fast for conditions, Stratford police acting Sergeant Dave Lindsay said.

"But even in the patrol car we were getting some people trying to overtake us. Obviously they were in a hurry to get to work."

Police attended at least six accidents between Stratford and New Plymouth this morning.

Rotorua awoke to the rare sight of snow this morning with the eastern suburbs and hills behind the airport coated.

The Mountain Safety Council (MSC) warned of a high risk of avalanche in mountain ranges.

Anyone heading into the mountains was putting themselves and others at risk because ski area and heli-ski staff traditionally rescued anyone in trouble, with the aid of police and Search and Rescue (SAR), but they would not be on duty until June.

People should avoid steep terrain and all run-outs below steep terrain and let someone know where they are going before they departed, MSC avalanche senior programme manager Steve Schreiber said.

Anyone visiting the snow should also be skilled at self and companion avalanche rescue techniques as at present response time for SAR could exceed the survival probability window, Mr Schreiber said.

A large amount of snow had been dumped in the South Island and Taranaki , but because it was only May the MSC did not have good information to advise the public of the danger which existed.

The mountains should be considered to have a high danger rating until further notice, he said.

Low elevation avalanche activity at the Remarkables yesterday triggered a road closure.

However, local enthusiasts ignored this closure and verbal advice and headed into uncontrolled avalanche terrain, which put them at risk and also anyone who might have had to rescue them, Mr Schreiber said.

Snow has been forecast to fall to 400m or 500m the east of the South Island tomorrow night, with 120km gusts forecast to hit Banks Peninsula in Canterbury tomorrow morning.

The wind had the potential to damage trees, powerlines and may make driving dangerous, the MetService said.

In the North Island snow was expected to 800m or 900m at Taihape and Tongariro National Park tomorrow night, which may affect higher roads in the area including the Desert Rd.

Cold showery southerlies are forecast to rise to gale in Wellington and Wairarapa tomorrow afternoon.

Motorists should check conditions before travelling, the MetService said.