Snow causes chaos on Dunedin roads
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Snow, black ice and sleet have hit the south, causing traffic chaos in and around the hills of Dunedin.
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The city's schools have been closed as buses cannot take students to school. Dunedin Airport is also closed this morning.
Heavy snow falls in Dunedin have caused a number of accidents overnight and closed roads in and out of the city.
Police advised residents to stay home, Senior Sergeant Mel Aitken said.
"We've got crashes banked up all over the city. Fortunately at this stage no injuries, but we can't even get to them."
It was too dangerous for police cars to attend non-injury accidents, she said.
Police were warning people not to go on the roads in the hill suburbs, which were a "nightmare".
Kilmog Hill on State Highway 1 north of the city was still closed.
There was ice and snow on SH1 south of the city and it was blocked by a fuel tanker which jack-knifed, about 6am today at Lookout Point. The driver was not injured.
Icy weather also caused problems inland.
Snow and high winds closed SH1 between Balclutha and Clinton this morning.
Gore probably hadn't seen snow like it for a couple of years at least, said Sergeant Stan Leishman.
There was about 5cm of snow on the flat and it was heavier on the hills, he said.
"It's zero degrees. The roads are freezing. There's black ice everywhere and the traffic in the main street of Gore appears to have very little traction at all."
Motorists needed to approach intersections at 10kmh to be able to stop in time and open road traffic was forced to travel about 60kmh, he said.
Mr Leishman said no road accidents had been reported yet but he was expecting plenty of them.
Invercargill experienced a frost on top of hail and sleet overnight, said Senior Sergeant Olaf Jensen.
Roads were all affected and driving conditions were treacherous, he said.
However, no serious crashes had been reported. There was a handful of minor crashes in rural areas where vehicles had slid off the road, he said.
There were a number of road closures and driving warnings around Southland and Otago.
Federated Farmers Southland president Rod Pemberton said snow was heavier inland but the weather was expected to pass through relatively quickly.
The MetService said the snowy conditions are expected to ease in the south later today.
Further snow showers could be expected near sea level in Southland and Otago but they would be less frequent and lighter.
Snow showers were also forecast for the Desert Road and the Rimutaka Hill Road in the North Island, and Porters Pass, Lindis Pass and the Milford Road in the South Island.
- NZPA
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At the top of Brockville in Dunedin this morning it was fairly light snow compared to the amount we have seen up here in the past. But after hearing about the amount of accidents due the the black ice hiding under the snow I decided not to drive. Am glad I didnt because there was a thick blizzard of snow come in late morning and now our place does have a good amount of snow. As far as just putting the chains on and driving....all well and good but what about all the drivers around you who dont have them on just waiting to crash into you!!
@37 and 40....
The city doesn't entirely shut down. Although there is a large disruption.
Its basic really... The buses can't run kids to school. The schools notice that the roads are icy and close so as not to risk parents doing anything stupid in the snow. With the schools closed, parents need to stay home to look after them and bam! The towns dead. All the roads get gritted. However, like last night, when it snows then stops, freezes and then starts snowing again, no amount of grit helps.
and @39.. I had to shovel snow out of my drive this morning. It didn't help with my trip into town though. I ended up turning around and coming home
s'right #3: Sounds like the cold is having a real effect on you? Born and bred in Dunedin and now living overseas I LOVE reading the "same hackneyed story every year" about the Dunedin snow! Especially the pictures. And don't tell me they recycle these too? You spoil all the fun!
I would rather watch paint dry than hear about the controversey surrounding the Dunedin stadium!
can anyone tell me the depth of snow
why does everyone down south think Aucklanders are all a bunch of snobs? and why do everyone up north think south islanders are a bunch of hicks? so sick of this arguing in pretty much every comments section on stuff that has anything to do with locals! grow up people - we are all NZ'ers! and to anyone who hasn't driven in Dunedin - it is incredibly steep and a very hilly city, and yes when it gets snowy and icy it does have a big impact on the city because everyone ends up stranded at home. its not overreacting - its for safety purposes. Basekid #40 - Schools tend to shut on snowy days in Southland because a majority of the students are rural, and when roads get icy school buses do not run.
@ Not right.
Snowed on my birthday (3rd June) at my flat on castle street in 2004. You're wrong.
Brent, I hope you run a driving school to pass on your wisdom to others.
@ Bob #32. I see no disagreement re:the driving or the trim milk latte.... must be great to live in a disenfranchised nearly super city and only have the contents of a 'coffee' to concern you! Have a great day!
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while everyone else talks about the snow and argues with each other over driving in it id like to point out the hottie in the onzie!!! and also point out that jens awesome! xx