Desert Road reopened despite wintry blast

Motorists have been urged to carry warm clothes and blankets in case they get stranded as another spring storm hits the North Island today.

Travel through the central North Island returned to normal this afternoon after State Highway 1 was reopened following heavy snow.

For the second weekend in a row, the area around Mt Ruapehu was blanketed with snow, though motorists appeared to be more wary and there was no repeat of the hundreds of strandings seen last time.

Barry Hodgson, from the Waiouru Welcome Inn, said it was chaotic when motorists were caught out in an unexpectedly heavy snowfalls in the area last weekend.

The MetService issued several severe weather warnings yesterday involving heavy rain and snow.

Mr Hodgson said the snowfalls ceased this morning and the sun had come out at times this afternoon.

SH1 was reopened between Waiouru and Rangipo, south of Turangi, early this afternoon and roading authorities were monitoring weather conditions.

Last night gales brought down several trees around Horowhenua , briefly closing some roads, while strong winds also brought down powerlines in south Taranaki.

The MetService said many areas affected by heavy rain today could expect some sunshine tomorrow.

Heading into next week, New Zealand could expect a mixed bag with some cloud and drizzle in the west and south of both islands, but fine weather in many other parts of the country.

WINTRY BLAST

A fresh blast of wintry weather has closed roads, toppled trees and downed power lines in the North Island this morning but the South Island has escaped relatively unscathed.

The Desert Road from Rangipo to Waiouru remained closed this morning due to snow.

Gales brought down several trees around Horowhenua overnight, briefly closing some roads, a police central communications spokesman said.

The Rimutaka Hill, north of Wellington, remained open after a slip but would close if weather conditions deteriorated, he said.

Gale force winds had also brought down powerlines in south Taranaki.

Weather Watch analyst Phillip Duncan said the upper North Island should expect a wet weekend with possible thunderstorms.

Families driving home at the end to the school holidays should take extra care on the roads, check the forecast, and think of alternative routes.

Police in the South Island reporting no major road closures or weather-related incidents.

But for skiers the bad weather is good news – Turoa's season has been extended until November 8, making it the longest season on record.

Heavy snow is forecast to fall as low as 600 metres in the central North Island today – and as low as 400 metres on the Rimutaka Hill Road – a week after an unseasonable storm stranded 700 vehicles in metre-deep snow on the Desert Road and the Napier-Taupo highway.

Civil Defence issued an alert yesterday, warning motorists to prepare for the conditions and put blankets and warm clothes in vehicles in case they get stuck.

WeatherWatch.co.nz head weather analyst Philip Duncan said the timing was terrible for families returning from school holiday trips.

"We're advising motorists to be aware of the conditions before setting out as snow may close state highways in both islands," he said.

Farmers have been advised to consider moving stock to lower ground or sheltered areas.

Wellington got a taste of things to come when a fierce spring storm forced the cancellation of some train services yesterday, caused widespread surface flooding and was a factor in several car crashes.

More than 66 millimetres of rain was recorded at Kelburn in the 24 hours to 5pm yesterday, including about 13mm between 3am and 4am. A MetService spokesman said 6mm per hour was considered a heavy downpour. "That is a heavy burst of rain and it probably would have woken quite a few people."

The downpour made driving difficult yesterday morning and caused surface flooding in parts of central Wellington and Ngaio. Two Johnsonville train services were replaced by buses because of flooding.

A police spokesman said the heavy rain and flooding had been a factor in several accidents.

One person was taken to Wellington Hospital in a serious condition after a crash involving a truck and a car in Lower Hutt.

Traffic heading into central Wellington was backed up more than usual because people were driving more slowly to cope with the conditions, he said.

The outlook for today is not much better. MetService is predicting rain will ease this afternoon, but a cold southerly wind will keep the temperature at 9 degrees celsius.

More snow was falling on Mt Ruapehu yesterday and clear skies are forecast for tomorrow.

Turoa, with a snow base of 2.6 metres, would now close on November 8, two weeks later than usual, Ruapehu Alpine Lifts said.

Whakapapa, with a snow base of 1.6 metres, would remain open until Labour Day on October 26.

- NZPA and Dominion Post

- © Fairfax NZ News