A rescue mission was under way after 30 vehicles became trapped at the top of a Canterbury mountain due to heavy snowfall.
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) spokesman said one crew from Springfield took a four-wheel-drive up Porters Pass to assist police and roading crews in clearing the road after vehicles became stuck.
“Getting there was the hardest part,” they said.
The NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) website said State Highway 73 had closed from Springfield to Castle Hill due to heavy snowfall. A further area warning was in place on SH73 from Ōtira to Castle Hill which read, “Due to snow, no towing and chains essential, drive with care.”
CANTERBURY & WEST COAST – SNOW – UPDATE 2:30PM
— NZ Transport Agency - Canterbury & West Coast (@nztacwc) August 18, 2024
CLOSED
• SH73 Springfield to Castle Hill
• SH7 Hamner Springs to Springs Jct (Lewis Pass)
OPEN W/RESTRICTIONS
• SH73 Castle Hill to Otira - Now towing and chains essential https://t.co/Ooy9Db7Kx9 pic.twitter.com/1jjE0aK8gZ
SH7 from Hanmer Springs to Springs Junction remains open with restrictions.
It comes as a polar blast lashing the country is expected to bring more adverse weather conditions, including snow, hail, rain and strong winds tomorrow.
Forecasters are warning a polar air mass will continue to spread up the South Island and lower North Island on Monday, bringing showers, snow and hail.
“In places like Central Otago, Southland, Clutha and Fiordland, there will be frequent showers and some of the showers could have the potential to generate heavy snow around 400m,” said MetService meteorologist Josh Griffin.
“Temperatures were forecast to reach single digits in places such as Invercargill and Southland.
MetService said there was a moderate risk of thunderstorms for coastal parts of Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Waitomo before noon on Monday as the front crosses the upper North Island.
Fenz said only a certain number of vehicles were getting through the snow.
“We are asking people to stay away from the area and not travel unless absolutely necessary.”
Police said there was a report of a crash on West Coast Rd, Springfield involving a car towing a boat about 11.45am.
“A number of other vehicles were reported to be stuck in the area. Contractors were heading up with equipment and it looks like several cars have been released.”
Vehicles had also become stuck outside of Arthur’s Pass heading towards Christchurch and Fenz crews were responding to assist.
Shortly before 5pm, police urged Canterbury motorists to consider delaying unnecessary travel as poor conditions struck the region.
“Anyone who has to travel is urged to ensure they are doing so with the appropriate equipment, such as snow chains.
“If you are out on the roads, please keep your headlights on, slow down, make sure you are observing a cautious following distance, and put any distractions away.”
Meanwhile, properties in the lower North Island have been inundated by water after heavy overnight rain flooded streets.
Residents in Pahīatua are mopping up this afternoon but fear more is yet to come.
MetService says another burst of rain was due to hit this afternoon.
A Pahīatua local said the rain started last night and it was still raining heavily this morning.
She said blocked drains and rising creeks were to blame for the high water levels and locals were out this morning attempting to remedy the issues.
Photos showed water creeping into homes on residential streets.
According to NZTA’s website, the Pahīatua Track was forced to close due to fallen trees and slips, but has since reopened.
In a statement shortly after 5pm, Horizons Regional Council said it was on standby to operate the Moutoa floodgates due to rainfall in the region.
Horizons incident controller Sarah Carswell said river levels showed the Manawatū River could reach operating range for the gates on Monday morning.
“The amount of rainfall in the Manawatū River catchment since Saturday night, as well as rain forecast to come during Sunday night, indicates a gate operation may be necessary.”
Carswell said upgrade work had been under way on the Moutoa floodgates recently, but they remained operable.
“The operation will require traffic management on the road above the gates, so anyone travelling through the area should keep this in mind.
“The water coming into the Manawatū River will cover SH56 at Ōpiki on Sunday evening, which could result in a road closure.”
Rainfall in Rangitīkei, Whanganui, Manawatū, Horowhenua and Ruapehu districts has not raised river and streams to levels of concern, Carswell added.
“We do not expect to need to operate any flood management assets apart from the Moutoa floodgates.
“However, catchments have been saturated by the rainfall so far.
“Horizons staff will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as and when necessary.”
MetService is also warning thunderstorms, gusty winds and heavy rain will impact much of the North Island, including Auckland.
There is a risk multiple areas will see “localised heavy rain” and winds up to 110km/h.
NZTA also advised that due to strong wind gusts, reduced speed limits were in place on the Auckland Harbour Bridge. Lane reductions may be required and caution was advised, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.
The wild weather has also disrupted the travel plans of some air passengers this afternoon.
Flight NZ600 has diverted to Christchurch due to the weather in Wellington. Air New Zealand said the flight will refuel in Christchurch and is rescheduled to depart for Wellington again later this afternoon.
MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said 40 to 60mm of rain has fallen already today, and more is due this afternoon.
Keep an eye on the skies today where thunderstorms could be in the mix🌩️
— MetService (@MetService) August 17, 2024
For Northland, Auckland, Waikato, and the Bay of Plenty, they might bring some gusty winds💨 pic.twitter.com/eDtAEQWU6P
“From midday onwards, through to this afternoon and evening, there is another wave of wet weather coming through.”
This is due to a rain band that is sweeping up the country from the east.
Makgabutlane said there are a “number of fronts that are in play and are bringing wild weather to various areas”.
She said a rain band sitting off the east of the country will move over at around midday, bringing thunderstorms, heavy rain and gusty winds to much of the North Island.
For Northland, Auckland, Waikato, the Coromandel Peninsula, western Bay of Plenty (including Rotorua), and general western districts from around Raglan to Kāpiti, as well as the eastern Bay of Plenty, there is a persistent moderate chance of thunderstorms into the early evening.
Additionally, there is a chance a few thunderstorms in the areas of Northland, Auckland, Waikato, the Coromandel Peninsula and the Western Bay of Plenty might become severe with dangerous wind gusts exceeding 110km/h.
The Tararua Range is under a heavy rain warning which is due to end at 10pm. MetService is reporting 60 to 90mm of rain will fall on top of what has already fallen.
Further south, a heavy rain watch came into force for Wellington at 1pm today. MetService is warning residents thunderstorms “are possible” and rain amounts may reach “warning criteria”.
While most regions across the country have been battered by rain, wind or snow today, the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) reported Whakatū, Hawke’s Bay set a new August temperature record, reaching 24.6C. Records for the area date back to the 1930s.
🌡️ Whakatu, Hawke's Bay has set a new August temperature record of 24.6˚C. That's a typical maximum temperature in February! Records there date back to 1930.
— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) August 18, 2024
Less than 600 km to the south, Cass, Canterbury, has only managed to reach 2.5˚C today! pic.twitter.com/luxD11VYa7
Niwa said less than 600km to the south, Cass in Canterbury had only managed to reach 2.5C today.
Rachel Maher is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. She has worked for the Herald since 2022.
Much of the South Island is set to plunge below 0C tonight and tomorrow.