Heavy snow warning issued for Inland Canterbury
Photo credit: Richard Willerton, Hanmer Springs Notice Board.
A number of South Island roads are closed due to snow, and a heavy snow warning has been issued for Inland Canterbury.
As of 9AM, roads closed according to NZTA include: SH8 Fairlie to Twizel (Burkes Pass), SH8 Tarras to Omarama (Lindis Pass) SH85 Kyeburn to Alexandra ,SH85 Palmerston to Kyeburn and SH87 Outram to Kyeburn, due to snow.
These roads are open with restrictions: SH77 Windwhistle to Methven - Snow - Chains essential - Closed to towing vehicles, SH73 Arthurs Pass to Otria - Snow - Chains essential - Closed to towing vehicles, SH73 Castle Hill to Arthurs Pass - Snow - Chains essential - Closed to towing vehicles, SH73 Springfield to Castle Hill - Snow - Chains essential - Closed to towing vehicles.
In the Hurunui, roads closed include Leader Rd - Waiau to SH1, Inland Rd - Waiau to SH1, Clarence Valley Road, SH1 over the Hundalees and Jollies Pass Road.
The Hurunui District Council said there are a number of slips on the roads including Iverachs Road, Stonyhurst Road, Happy Valley Road, Glendhu Road, Glenkens Road, Blythe Road and Amberley Beach Road.
Metservice
Road Snowfall Warnings
For Lewis Pass (SH7) Metservice is forecasting periods of heavy snow. Expect 10 to 20 cm to accumulate above about 400 metres, and lesser amounts lower down. Some further snow is likely during Tuesday morning.
Arthur's Pass (SH73) Periods of heavy snow. Expect 20 to 35 cm to accumulate above 500 metres, and 10 to 15 cm lower down. Some further snow is likely during Tuesday morning.
Porters Pass (SH73) Periods of heavy snow. Expect a total of 20 to 35 cm of snow to accumulate above 500 metres, with lesser amounts to low levels. Some further snow is likely during Tuesday morning.
Haast Pass (SH6) Some snow may affect the road. 1 to 2 cm of snow may settle near the summit, with lesser amounts to 300 metres.
Lindis Pass (SH8) Periods of snow. Expect 1 to 3 cm of snow to accumulate on the road.
Heavy Snow Warning - Orange - Until 2pm Monday
Inland Canterbury above 300 metres. Expect 15 to 25 cm of snow above 300 metres. Note, lesser amounts of disruptive snow could affect areas below 300 metres in Canterbury but warning amounts are considered unlikely there.
Metservice said heavy snow may disrupt travel in affected areas and could damage trees and powerlines. Cold conditions may cause stress for livestock.
