Police and councils are urging “extreme caution” when using roads and footpaths due to black ice in the South this morning.Motorists were advised to delay travel where possible, police said.
“If you do need to travel, exercise extreme caution and patience, drive to the conditions and increase following distances.”
In Central Otago, the district council said areas of concern were Ranfurly, Naseby, Alexandra, Clyde, Springvale, Galloway, Earnscleugh and Bannockburn.
“Take care on corners and intersections, footpaths are also being affected.
“Slow down and drive to the conditions, increase following distances and in the fog – turn your headlights on!”
Crews would continue grit and monitor passed daybreak, as temperatures were expected to drop further.
Hawkdun Runs Road and Reef Road (Ida Valley) at Ford Crossing is closed.
Danseys Pass Road remains closed from the gates near the hotel – 4×4 access only from Ridge Road.
In the Queenstown Lakes area and Wānaka, extreme care was also advised as temperatures have dropped rapidly, the district council said.
A spokesman said there was black ice on the Crown Range Road between Cardrona and the summit. Grit had been applied and trucks were out patrolling.
Black ice was forming in the Arrowtown Dalefield basin, Malaghans Roads and Arthurs Point areas.
Icy conditions were possible on the Wānaka-Cardona Road.
In Queenstown’s CBD, Fernhill and Queenstown Hill grit has been applied to known high-risk areas.
Meanwhile, surface flooding was continuing to affect State Highway 85 due to flooding from snow melt.
– Allied Media