Weather: Desert Rd reopens, ‘nippy’ weekend ahead

The Desert Rd has reopened.

The major Central North Island thoroughfare was closed around 6.30pm yesterday and remained closed overnight and this morning because of snow and ice.

“Snow and ice has melted and the road is now open,” Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency said in an update about 11.25am today.

“Winter driving conditions apply throughout the area and road users are advised to take extra care when travelling this route.”

SH48 Bruce Rd has also reopened.

A road snowfall warning remained in place for the Desert Rd, MetService said.

“A few light snow flurries may affect the road above 600m until early Friday afternoon.”

Temperatures dropped to -2.2°C on the Desert Rd overnight while Taupō registered -0.7°C, Rotorua 1.7°C, Whakatāne 3.7°C and Tauranga 4.2°C.

MetService meteorologist Thapi Makgabutlane said there would be a break in the weather on Friday and Saturday with brighter spells at times, however, temperatures remained on the nippy side all weekend, especially early mornings.

“On Sunday the next frontal system starts to move in from the west and by the end of the day there may be some showery weather in the Bay of Plenty and over the central North Island plateau.”