![\"Snow](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/snow-at-cardrona-source-cardrona-alpine-resort-7VOWZBEFZZEJFBXV6NIAMP3ZNM.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHeavy downpours across parts of the country has led to a slip, snowfall and surface flooding this afternoon, with one state highway in North Taranaki reduced to a single lane.<\/p>\n
A stretch of State Highway 3 through Mt Messenger was down to one lane following a slip on the side of the road caused by heavy and persistent rain, according to the New Zealand Transport Agency.<\/p>\n
NZTA said the initial slip had been cleared but the lane remained closed while crews removed unstable material from the hillside. <\/p>\n
Stop\/go traffic management was now in place between the bypass project office and a point about 800m south of the intersection of SH3 and Mangaonga Rd.<\/p>\n
A temporarily reduced speed limit was also in place. <\/p>\n
“Please expect significant delays travelling through the area, of around 30 minutes, while the northern lane remains closed,” NZTA said.<\/p>\n
“The lane will reopen when it is safe to do so.<\/p>\n
“Drive to the conditions and adhere to all traffic management in place.”<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, surface flooding was reported on state highways across the lower and central South Island this afternoon.<\/p>\n
Flooding was reported on highways in Westport and Greymouth on the West Coast last night. NZTA was alerted to flooding in Otago, on State Highway 87 in Mosgiel, and on State Highway 83 between Oamaru and Kurow, today that had required assessment by roading crews.<\/p>\n
“Caution has been urged but no closures or other restrictions have been required so far.”<\/p>\n
Road users were urged to avoid travelling through floodwaters, especially where the depth was uncertain and there may be obstructions that weren’t visible.<\/p>\n
Snow expected from this evening could impact the roading network, NZTA said, especially on Canterbury\u2019s inland state highways, with up to 10cm possible at Porters Pass on SH73.<\/p>\n
Cold snaps and snowfall<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Snow at Cardrona. (Source: Cardrona Alpine Resort) (Source: Supplied)<\/p>\n
MetService today warned Thursday would be wet for most of the country as a frontal rainband continued to move over the North Island, bringing bouts of heavy rain as it passed. <\/p>\n