Canterbury experiencing heavy snowfalls

Some eastern areas of the South Island are experiencing heavy snowfall.

Gerard Barry from MetService says around 15-20 centimetres of snow is forecast for the Canterbury foothills and south of the Rakaia River this morning.

The Mt Hutt ski field has had to close for the day after around 20 centimetres of snowfall overnight and it is still snowing hard, with the access road closed because of the risk of avalanche.

Mr Barry says snowfall is expected to continue until around midday.

- NEWSTALK ZB