MetService delivers school holiday snow warnings for southern roads

Authorities are warning incoming weather will likely impact motorists across the south, urging care be taken on roads busy with school holiday traffic. 

The MetService has issued heavy rain warnings for the West Coast and heavy snow warnings for the Milford Road (SH94), Crown Range, and Lindis Pass.

It says rain is forecast to turn to snow from Wednesday morning, with between five and 10 centimetres expected to settle near the Homer Tunnel on State Highway 94, and the same amount near the summit on the Crown Range road.

Heading north, rain is forecast to turn to snow on the Lindis Pass from Wednesday evening, with up to seven centimetres expected to settle near the summit.

Snow is also possible on the Haast Pass, but it is unlikely to settle on the road.

A general heavy snow watch has been issues for Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes for the 12 hours from noon Wednesday.

"Periods of heavy snow above 700 metres, where snowfall amounts may approach warning criteria. Moderate chance of upgrading to a warning," MetService reports.

Meanwhile the New Zealand Transport Agency says, on the West Coast, people should expect between 160 and 190 millimetres of rain about the ranges, and smaller amounts nearer the coast.

Given school holidays are underway, the agency is urging drivers to take extra care as roads will be busy.

“It is essential people drive to the conditions and be prepared for hazards on the road,” NZTA journey manager Tresca Forrester says.

Heavy rain increases the risk of slips, rockfalls, flooding and branches falling on the road. 

“Wet roads are slippery. Reduce your speed, increase your following distance, and avoid sudden braking. If visibility is poor, turn on your headlights. Be safe, be seen.”

The agency has already made the call to close the Milford Road overnight Tuesday, and this closure will likely be extended.

"The road will close at 5pm tonight (Tuesday) as overnight and during Wednesday stormy rain is expected to elevate the avalanche risk," the Milford Alliance team says.

"Due to forecast heavy snow Wednesday afternoon, there is a low potential of opening for a small travel window Wednesday afternoon (or earlier if conditions change). It is highly likely the road will be closed overnight again Wednesday."

NZTA road closures can be found at https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/highway-conditions, while MetService weather warnings can be found at https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home.

Main image (MetService): MetService has issued a string of weather warnings for the south.