Snow closes South Island roads

Photo / Thinkstock

State Highway 73 between Springfield and Arthur's Pass was closed overnight because of snowfall in the region. Arthur's Pass to Otira remained closed to towing vehicles.

Weather analyst Richard Green said the cold front that closed in around Canterbury had a real bite to it.

"Inland parts of Canterbury are seeing it down to around 100 to 150 metres, although generally settling to around the 250 metre mark," he said.

Mr Green said yesterday was one of the coldest October days on record for Christchurch, Ashburton and Darfield.