<\/p>\nFrom Friday, it was expected to get a lot colder and windier.\u00a0<\/p>\n
MetService\u00a0is predicting\u00a0strong, southerly winds approaching severe gales for coastal Otago, coastal Southland, southern Fiordland and Stewart Island.<\/p>\n
Christchurch, Banks Peninsula and the Canterbury Plains, about and east of Lincoln, may get southwesterly winds approaching severe gale in exposed places\u00a0on Friday night.<\/p>\n
The cold southerly was expected to move up the South Island.<\/p>\n
A spokesman for NZTA on Thursday morning said forecasting provided to it suggested that\u00a0 heavy snow could fall on Friday in places such as Canterbury\u2019s alpine passes, with 10-20cm possible about and west of Arthur\u2019s Pass,\u00a0and in the Lewis Pass area.<\/p>\n
\u201cSnowfalls may fall to as low as 200m elevation on Saturday, while the Mackenzie Basin was\u00a0expected to get lesser amounts.\u201d<\/p>\n
In Southland, snow was\u00a0forecast for SH94 near Milford Sound on Thursday night. The highway would\u00a0close at 5pm from the Lower Hollyford Road turnoff to The Chasm.<\/p>\n
This section of SH94 was expected to reopen late on Friday morning, with possible ongoing snow showers causing more disruptions throughout the day.<\/p>\n
Road users were\u00a0encouraged to plan ahead by checking the weather and roading conditions.<\/p>\n
\u201cNZTA may close other state highways where the snowfall puts people at risk. People are encouraged to carry warm clothing, food and water with them in case of travel delays or detours,\u201d the spokesman advised.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn winter driving conditions where traction is affected, motorists are urged to reduce their speeds, increase their following distances, and avoid sudden braking or turning movements and stay as visible as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
Strong wind watches <\/p>\n
Canterbury High Country
Period: From 10am until 7pm on Thursday.\u00a0Northwesterly winds may approach severe gale in exposed places. Another period of northwesterly gales was\u00a0expected Friday morning.<\/p>\n
Coastal Southland and southern Fiordland
Period:\u00a0From 7am until 3pm on\u00a0Friday Southerly winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.<\/p>\n
Christchurch and Banks Peninsula, and Canterbury Plains about and east of Lincoln.<\/p>\n
Period: From\u00a06pm on Friday until 12am on Saturday. Southwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.
Coastal Otago
Period: From 12pm until 9pm on Friday. Southwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.<\/p>\n
Road Snowfall Warnings <\/p>\n
Crown Range Road<\/p>\n
Period: From 9am to midnight on Friday.\u00a0Snow is expected to lower to 700 metres on Friday morning, and to 400m by Friday evening. Expect 1 to 3cm to accumulate above 700m and lesser amounts to 400m.<\/p>\n
Milford Road (SH94)<\/p>\n
Period:\u00a0From 11pm on Thursday to\u00a06pm on Friday.\u00a0Snow is expected to lower to 900m late tonight, then gradually lower to 400m during Friday. Expect 4 to 8cm to accumulate about Homer Tunnel and lesser amounts to 400m.<\/p>\n
Arthur’s Pass (SH73)<\/p>\n
Period: From 4am to 4pm on Friday.\u00a0Snow lowering to around 800m and 3 to 5cm may accumulate about the summit.<\/p>\n
Lewis Pass (SH7)<\/p>\n
Period: From 7am on Friday to 10am on Saturday.\u00a0Snow lowering to around 800m during Friday and 3 to 5cm may accumulate about the summit. Snow levels lower further during Saturday morning down to about 300m and 1 to 2cm could accumulate down to this level.<\/p>\n
– Allied Media\u00a0<\/p>\n