A number of state highways across the South Island have reopened this afternoon after being closed overnight and this morning due to snow.
The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) is still advising motorists to take extra due as “winter driving conditions remain in place”.
There were earlier closures to parts of SH8, SH73, SH79, SH80, SH85 and SH87.
It comes as MetService said heavy rain and snow about parts of Marlborough and Canterbury ease this afternoon.
An orange heavy snow warning remains in place for North Canterbury High Country and the foothills north of the Rangitata River until 3pm, and road snowfall warnings for Lewis Pass and Porters Pass remain in place until this evening.
MetService said 3-6cm of snow could be expected on Lewis Pass, and 2-5cm on Porters Pass.
The forecaster said snowfall overnight had even reached places like Fairlie and Hanmer Springs.
“Things gradually ease as the day goes on, but North Canterbury and Marlborough can still expect snow to the evening,” it said on X.
The NZTA said earlier today it is “reminding all central and lower South Island drivers that for the remainder of this week, the severity of the colder daytime and overnight temperatures will pose an ongoing issue for ice across the network”.
“Whilst our crews and gritting teams will be doing all they can, road closures will likely still occur, especially overnight and into mid-morning. Please check our website before you travel and slow down on ice and gritted roads,” NZTA central South Island manager Mark Pinner said.
‘High winds’ cancel ferry sailings
Both the Interislander and Bluebridge have cancelled a number of sailings across the Cook Strait today into tomorrow due to “high winds in Picton and large swells in the Cook Strait”.
“The Marlborough Harbour Master has indicated it’s likely no ferries will be allowed to berth in Picton during this time,” Bluebridge said.
Interislander said the Aratere is set to resume sailing from 5.30am tomorrow. It urged passengers to check the regularly updated arrivals and departures page.
MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said earlier this week people in the lower and central South Island have been experiencing the forecasts of “extensive” snowfall and forecasts suggest the active fronts were expected to move north from today.
“This is a developing situation, and although it’s all happening in the South Island during the early part of the week, it’ll be a good idea for people in the eastern North Island to also have a close eye on the forecast.”
On Thursday, there is “moderate confidence that rainfall amounts will reach warning criteria about Hawke’s Bay, mainly about the hills and ranges, and low confidence about other eastern areas from Gisborne to eastern Marlborough”, according to MetService.
More settled weather is expected around the country going into the weekend.