Snow on the way tomorrow
People driving around Otago, Southland and Canterbury in the coming two days need to be ready for some changeable and snowy winter weather, warns Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.
MetService has issued 16 Weather Warnings across the South Island, including a Heavy Snow Watch for Queenstown to Mosgiel, and also Fiordland and Southland.
Snow is expected to about 200 metres between 9am-6pm tomorrow, Wednesday, 9 August, with heavy falls above 400 metres where accumulations may approach warning criteria.
There's also a, Road Snowfall Warning for Queenstown's Crown Range from 7am-6pm tomorrow, Wednesday, 9 August.
Around 3 to 6cm of snow is expected to settle on the road near the summit, with lesser amounts down to lower levels. There are also similar Road Snowfall Warnings for Milford Road (SH94), Haast Pass (SH6), Arthurs Pass (SH73), Lewis Pass (SH7) and Porters Pass (SH73).
Check the MetService for further details, also available direct through the Queenstown App Weather page and also our Road Conditions page.
While there are Heavy Snow Watch advisories in place for the lower and central South Island, along with Buller and western parts of Tasman, that's upgraded to a Heavy Snow Warning - Orange for Canterbury north of Arthur’s Pass, Marlborough and Nelson Lakes Forest Park, from 6pm tomorrow until 8am Thursday.
MetService is predicting 20-30cm of snow above 300 metres and smaller amounts down to 100 metres.
Nicole Felts, Journey Manager for Waka Kotahi, says on the whole drivers should take extra care and avoid driving at night if possible.
"Slow down and be ready for ice in shady spots and on bridge decks, and try to avoid sharp braking," she says.
"Waka Kotahi crews will be busy gritting places which get icy, applying de-icing compound and clearing any snow as quickly as they can. If in doubt we will close highways until they are safe to use so please check our highway map before you set off."
- MetService updates here: https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home
- Waka Kotahi highway updates: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/highway-conditions/
There are simple things we can all do to help keep everyone on the roads safe, says Miss Felts:
- Drive slower than you normally would – it only takes a split second to lose control in wet or icy conditions.
- Avoid sudden braking or turning movements that could cause you to skid.
- For vehicles without anti-skid braking systems, to avoid skidding or sliding, smoothly pump the brake pedal in short bursts rather than pressing long and hard.
- Drive at a safe travelling distance because it takes longer to stop on slippery roads. In winter, double the two-second rule and leave a safe distance between you and the vehicle ahead.
- When travelling in fog, rain or snow, drive with your lights dipped.
- Makes sure everyone is wearing their seat belt throughout the full journey.
Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey. Keep up to date with:
Traffic updates: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic
- Facebook: facebook.com/NZTASouthIsland
- Twitter Top of the South: twitter.com/WakaKotahiTOTS
- Twitter Canterbury/West Coast: twitter.com/WakaKotahiCWC
- Twitter Otago/Southland: twitter.com/WakaKotahiOS
- Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz
- Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)
