Snow day as schools close in Queenstown

Those looking after roads across the Queenstown Lakes District are warning motorists "the promised snow has arrived".

Residents throughout Central Otago, including in Alexandra and Cromwell, have also woken up to an expected spring delivery of the white stuff, with district mayor Tim Cadogan calling it "the biggest snowfall I've seen in Central for quite a few years".

In Queenstown, there is a snow day for many young people, with Shotover Primary School, Queenstown Primary School, Arrowtown Primary School, St Joseph's School, Te Kura Whakatipu o Kawarau, and Wakatipu High School, all closed as a result of the weather.

There are also plenty of disruptions to bus services in the town.

"Due to the overnight snow, 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," a message from Orbus on its Facebook page tis morning says.

The New Zealand Transport Agency has closed State Highway 6 between Makarora and Haast due to snow and ice, while the Queenstown Lakes District Council has warned early commuters the Crown Range is closed due to heavy snow and extreme care is needed on the alternative route via the Kawarau Gorge.

Elsewhere, snow and fallen trees have impacted on lower altitude roads too.

"If you need to travel, please take extreme care. Carry chains and fit them where required," the council says.

First thing fallen trees blocked lanes on Arrowtown-Lake Hayes Road and Hunter Road, and a fallen tree was fully blocking Arthurs Point Road between the Edith Cavell Bridge and McChesney Bridge.

Crews have worked to partially clear Arthurs Point Road and it is open with stop-go traffic management.

Councillor Lisa Guy explains "rising sap in spring means many breaking branches".

Orbus Queenstown's depot, September 13, 2024 (Image: Facebook).

"Ditch the river walk this am," she warns, "Maybe a stay home day if you can...at least til it's light and crews can get things moving out there."

The Queenstown Airport remains open, however some flights may be delayed or cancelled. 

Meanwhile the Cardrona Valley and the Upper Clutha Basins roads have missed the snow and are only affected by surface water, and motorist are advised to drive with care.

Despite snow falling in Cromwell and Alexandra, the roads are holding their warmth from recent good weather and around town it is "mostly just wet roads", the Central Otago District Council winter road report says.

However, caution is needed in rural Maniototo and Manuherikia areas, where some roads are closed this morning, including Danseys Pass and State Highway 85 from Omakau to Kyeburn.

A spokesperson for Aurora Energy says they are aware of a number of weather related power outages across the area, and advises people to head online for the latest updates.

Keep up to date with weather forecasts here and state highway conditions here.

Main images (Facebook/MetService/Fiona Wallen/Maria/Frewen/Veronika Lipsova): Snow in Arrowtown, Lake Hayes Estate and Hanley's Farm early on September 13, 2024.