Snow traps vehicles on Otago pass

Winter has finally come to South Island ski fields and mountains. Photo / Otago Daily Times

Heavy snow blocked the Lindis Pass in central Otago tonight trapping a number of vehicles.

The New Zealand Transport Agency closed the highway between Omarama and Cromwell shortly before 5pm and said that the situation would be reviewed at 8.30am tomorrow.

Kurow constable Craig Bennett said attempts were being made to free a number of trapped motorists but snow was continuing to fall with no sign of stopping.

Weatherwatch website tonight forecast that strong winds would buffet New Zealand for up for two weeks as a deep low in the Southern Ocean helped lift the Roaring 40s up over the country.

This was similar to a bout of bad weather in September last year, but weather analyst Philip Duncan stopped short of saying the weather would be as extreme as the 2010 storm that brought major snowfalls to Southland.

The MetService has forecast heavy rain for the next two days over western and northern parts of the country.

Westland and the Southern Alps was also expected to get a drenching as 50mm - 70mm was due to fall through the night.

Rivers and streams in the area could rise rapidly, MetService said.

- NZPA