Snow closes SH94 near Te Anau

Snow has closed one South Island Highway and chains are required on others after a heavy dumping of spring snow overnight.

State Highway 94 which joins Te Anau to Milford was closed overnight due to the snow.

MetService is warning of heavy snowfalls in the Fiordland area. The forecast was for snow down to 300 metres above sea level for areas south of the Milford Sound and west of Lake Te Anau. Up to 25cm was expected above 400m last night.

A further 15cm of snow could accumulate by 7pm with most of it falling by midday today.

Vehicles travelling on State Highway 8 from Omarama to Tarras will need chains and the road has been closed to towing vehicles.

Mountain passes have also been hit with Arthurs Pass closed to towing vehicle and requiring chains, according to the Automobile Association's Roadwatch site.

More snow is also expected today on Arthurs Pass with up to 5cm falling before 1pm, said MetService.

- NZ HERALD STAFF