Cars stuck in snow for hours as wild weather hits the country

Snow in Canterbury near Aoraki Mt Cook today which resulted in some 50 becoming stuck for up to three hours. Photo / supplied

Up to 50 cars were stuck in snow after an unexpected dumping around Mt Cook today.

Elsewhere in the country, gales and heavy rain lashed both islands while the worst is yet to come, according to MetService.

A New Zealand Transport Agency spokeswoman said about 50 cars were trapped on State Highway 8 between Twizel and Fairlie and on SH80 between Aoraki Mt Cook and Ben Ohau. The majority were SH8.

The cars were trapped from midday for 2-3 hours after an unexpected dumping of about 15cm of snow in the region, she said.

Thirty vehicles were towed out by transport contractors while the remaining 20 had managed to make their own way out.

SH8 has since reopened, while drivers were urged to remain cautious on the slippery road. SH80 was expected to reopen about 6pm.

Metservice meteorologist Josh Griffin said temperatures had been hovering around zero degrees all day at the forecaster's nearest station at Mt Cook Airport. Temperatures were beginning to rise now, Griffin said. Clutha and Central Otago also reached zero or sub-zero temperatures today.

"But obviously the higher you go in elevation the temperature's going to be colder."

He said there had been heavy rain in many parts of the country today with Nelson receiving a 100mm soaking over 12 hours. However, as river levels were not too full at the moment there had been no reports of major flooding, other than isolated accumulation around the ranges.

"But we're definitely at warning levels," Griffin said.

A complex low was currently moving across the North Island and things were expected to get worse this evening for most places.

A gale watch was in force around Taranaki, which occurs when winds risk reaching up to 100km/h.

Unfortunately for rugby fans, the rain in Wellington was expected to worsen this evening when the All Blacks face off against the Lions in their highly-anticipated second test match.

It was forecast to ease overnight and into tomorrow.

Despite an already wet woolly day in Auckland, rains were forecast to get even heavier this evening. This, too, should start to calm down overnight and tomorrow.

While the picture for the next few days isn't exactly rosy, Griffin said it wouldn't be as bad as today with the rain easing in most places.

Monday would see scattered showers for much of the country with Tuesday bringing some fine periods in the North Island. There may be some more for the South Island.

Tasman District Command Centre Senior Sergeant Stu Koefoed earlier said earlier today that civil defence in Okarito was dealing with flooding at the lagoon and in Nelson there was flooding on Whakatu Dr although the road remained clear.

At Golden Downs a tree was down and blocking both lanes of Kerrs Hill Rd.

Koefoed urged people to stay off the roads if at all possible.

Rivers and streams could rise rapidly and driving conditions could become hazardous, he said.

"Stay safe. If you don't need to go out, don't. Stay at home out of the rain."