Heavy snow watches for parts of Canterbury

A front is expected to move northwards over the southern half of the South Island on Saturday, bringing snow inland.

Metservice said the front may stall for a time, producing heavy snow in some places.

Heavy Snow Watch

Canterbury High Country south of the Rangitata River

Period: 21hrs from 3pm Sat, 18 May - noon Sun, 19 May

Heavy snowfall is possible above 500 metres where amounts may approach, or even exceed, warning criteria.

Southern Lakes, and Central Otago north of Alexandra

Period: 24hrs from 6am Sat, 18 May - 6am Sun, 19 May

Heavy snowfall is poss

ible above 600 metres where amounts may approach, or even exceed, warning criteria.

Road Snowfall Warnings

Porters Pass (SH73)

Period: 10hrs from 9pm Sat, 18 May - 7am Sun, 19 May. 1 - 3 cm of snow could accumulate near the summit with lesser amounts to 800 metres.

Haast Pass (SH6)

Period: 30hrs from midnight Fri, 17 May - 6am Sun, 19 May. 3 - 5 cm of snow could accumulate on the road.

Lindis Pass (SH8)

Period: 22hrs from noon Sat, 18 May - 10am Sun, 19 May. 0 - 20 cm of snow could accumulate near the summit with lesser amounts to 300 metres.

Crown Range Road

Period: 9hrs from 8am - 5pm Sat, 18 May. 2 - 4 cm of snow (possibly more) could accumulate near the summit with lesser amounts to 400 metres.

Milford Road (SH94)

Period: 6hrs from 7am - 1pm Sat, 18 May. 3 - 5 cm of snow (possibly more) could accumulate above 700 metres, with lesser amounts to 400 metres.

NZTA’s Southland and Otago Journey Manager Nicole Felts advises people who are driving along these routes to be prepared for snow, to drive to the conditions and check the NZTA traffic and travel maps and MetService updates ahead of setting off. 

Lindis Pass later on Saturday could get more snow – up to 20 cm

Although only 1-3 cm of snow is forecast for Porters Pass on SH73 west of Springfield, the Lindis Pass, SH8 linking Otago and Canterbury between Cromwell and Omarama could get 10-20 cm from noon Saturday through to early Sunday morning.

“Anyone driving these routes, as well as Burkes Pass, the entrance to the Mackenzie District, around Lake Tekapo and Twizel and SH80 the highway into Mt Cook/ Aoraki should be prepared

 People should expect disruptions during this time and if they can avoid travelling overnight Saturday in these areas, that would be wise. “Get to where you are going early, rather than later,” Felts said.

SOURCE: Metservice / NZTA