A forecast wintry blast has brought snow to parts of the South, prompting warnings for motorists on the region’s roads.
There are reports of heavy falls in inland Otago, and State Highway 87 between Middlemarch and Outram is closed owing to snow and ice.
Snow has been falling in some Dunedin hill areas, and there was some still lying on the roadside on the city’s Northern Motorway (SH1) about 7.15am.
A traffic management truck has rolled at the top of the motorway, partially blocking the road. Police said the accident occurred about 7.10am. No-one was injured and they were waiting on the vehicle to be towed. They weren’t aware of any other issues on the roads.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi has urged care on the motorway, owing to snow and ice conditions.
Inland, the Central Otago District Council advised shortly before 6am that thick snow was affecting roads in the Ida Valley and the Maniototo, and said only essential travel should be undertaken in the area.
In an update at 8.10am the council said roads had been cleared and snow had stopped falling in this area. However, caution was advised around Moa Flat and the Beaumont hills due to snow.
The CODC said the Danseys Pass Road was closed from the gates passed the Danseys Pass Hotel.
There was also an unplanned power outage around areas in Clyde for a couple of hours, affecting several hundred customers. Power was restored shortly after 7am.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council advised that there was snow on the Crown Range Road and chains were required by motorists heading that way.
The Milford Road (SH94) is currently closed but expected to reopen about 10am.
– Allied Media