Snow in south causes power outages, road and school closures

Heavy snow warnings are in place for parts of the South Island as snow continues to fall, affecting roads and causing power outages.

Southern Canterbury High Country and inland Otago, and also possibly northern Southland, are expected to receive heavy snowfall today, according to MetService.

Snowfall in Alexandra, Central Otago. Photo / Linnet Julius

In its latest forecast, MetService says Canterbury High Country south of the Rakaia River can expect 10cm to 20cm of snow to settle above 500m, with lesser amounts down to 300m across the day.

The region is currently under a heavy snow warning.

MetService said those in the area should expect travel disruption and damage to trees and powerlines possible.

Powder chasers at Wanaka's Treble Cone ski field waiting for the lifts to open following a morning of heavy snow fall.

Cold conditions also risked causing stress for livestock.

People were told to prepare for snow, cold temperatures and possible power outages.

”If you must travel, drive cautiously, and ensure you have snow chains, sleeping bags, warm clothing and emergency items,” said the forecaster.

Snow was expected to clear from the south this afternoon and evening.

Heavy snow fall in Queenstown on Friday morning. Photo / Dhariwal Harpreet

Queenstown’s Wakatipu High School and Alexandra’s Dunstan High School have closed for the day due to the weather conditions.

About 6.45am, Queenstown Lakes District Council said the Crown Range Rd was closed by snow.

Stella the dog plays in the snow in Wanaka.

One person travelling through the wider Queenstown region said driving at times has been “difficult”, with heavy snow and “black ice” on the roads.

“It started snowing heavy at Lindis Pass around 4am ... [There was] black ice at some places and as the morning proceeded heavy snow made it a bit difficult to drive from Cromwell to Queenstown,” they said.

A fallen tree at Arthurs Point has now been partially cleared by the Queenstown Lakes District Council, allowing one-lane traffic through the area.

Elsewhere, a heavy rain watch is in place for Westland south of Haast through to noon, while Aurora Energy said power was out to about 3500 customers in Central Otago early today.

State Highway 85, between Omakau and Palmerston, and Danseys Pass Rd, are also currently closed.

Heavy snow fall in Queenstown on Friday morning. Photo / Dhariwal Harpreet

The Central Otago District Council said teams are out gritting and ploughing roads, and advised motorists to reduce speeds.

SNOW - UPDATE 8:45AM, FRI 13 SEP
Due to snow & ice, the below roads remain CLOSED:
• SH6 Haast to Makarora
• SH85 Kyeburn to Omakau
• SH85 Palmerston to Kyeburn
• SH94 Te Anau to Milford Sound
Please avoid the above areas & consider delaying your journey. ^AP pic.twitter.com/lnyIq2vDHG

— NZ Transport Agency - Otago & Southland (@nztaos) September 12, 2024

A council spokesperson said there was snow in most places around Roxburgh, Alexandra and Cromwell.

“Roads are holding warmth from recent good weather so around the towns it is mostly just wet roads. Expect some pockets of surface flooding and areas of snow in rural high areas,” they said.

Central Otago District mayor Tim Cadogan told RNZ’s Morning Report said that the snow was a great surprise.

Heavy snowfall in Queenstown. Photo / Jono Green

He got a “helluva fright” when he opened his curtains in the town of Clyde and saw that it was “very, very white”.

Queenstown’s Orbus bus service has faced delays this morning, with routes being delayed or suspended.

Heavy snowfall in Queenstown. Photo / Jono Green

“Our bus depot and most of our drivers are snowed in. We are currently unable to operate safely and will resume services as soon as we can,” it said on social media at 6am.

“4WDs have been out all morning picking up our drivers and we will keep you updated on Facebook, the Orbus website and Transit app.”

SNOW - 10:10AM, FRI 13 SEP
The following roads are CLOSED, due to snow and ice:
CLOSED
• SH6 Haast to Makarora
• SH80 Lake Pukaki to Mount Cook pic.twitter.com/44USIPDPvq

— NZ Transport Agency - Canterbury & West Coast (@nztacwc) September 12, 2024

A new 24-hour rain alert has been issued for western and central parts of the North Island.

MetService says Waitomo, Taumarunui, Taupō, Taihape and northern Taranaki can expect rain to start falling from midnight tonight and continue until midnight Saturday.

The regions are currently under a heavy rain watch with the forecaster warning there was a moderate chance of it being upgraded.

Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.