State Highways: Warnings & Closures

Nelson / Marlborough

• SH60 Riwaka to Upper Takaka (Takaka Hill) – Slip – This road is now open to one lane under Stop/Go control and/or with traffic lights with speed restrictions in place. Road users are advised to expect delays travelling through this area.

Canterbury (Including Alpine / Mountain Passes)

• SH1 to Picton, via Kaikoura, will be open 7:30 am until 7:30pm daily. Inland Rd Route 70, via Waiau, is also open to get to & from Kaikoura.
• SH1, north of Kaikoura, Mangamaunu to Clarence – ROAD CLOSED – Due to adverse weather forecast this road is now closed. The road is expected to reopen at 1 pmtoday.
• SH1, south of Kaikoura, between Ferniehurst and Peketa - ROAD OPEN – The road is scheduled to close at 7:30pm today.
• SH73 Springfield to Arthurs Pass (Porters Pass) – Snow – Resolved – all restrictions have now been lifted.
• SH77 Methven to the Rakaia Gorge – Snow - Road users are advised to take extra care.
• SH1 Belfast - Due to uneven surface under the Chaney Road Overpass, there is a 50km/h temporary speed restriction in place. Road users are advised to take extra care.

West Coast

• SH6 Ross to Haast – Strong Winds – Extra care required by campervans, caravans, high sided vehicles and motor bikes especially around river valleys.
• SH6 Westport to Greymouth (Crossroads to Rapahoe) – Area Warning – Traffic lights are in place at various locations where the road is down to one lane. Expect delays & plan your journey accordingly.
• SH6 Haast to Makarora – Area Warning – Delays – Traffic control will be in place at various locations throughout the Haast Pass. Delays of up to 20 minutes can be expected, plan your journey accordingly.
• SH67 Westport to Karamea – Strong Winds - ROAD CLOSED – Due to a shed roof iron lifting near Garveys Rd.
• SH67 – JNC WITH SH6 – Fallen tee – ROAD CLOSED - Road closed between Crossroads and Buller Bridge. The next update with be at 1 pm today.

Otago

• SH1 Pine Hill to Palmerston – Area Warning – SNOW - Due to winter driving conditions, road users are advised to take extra care.
• SH1 Dunedin Southern Motorway – Area Warning – Delays – Due to safety improvement works, road users are advised to allow an extra 20 minutes to their journey when travelling via the Dunedin Southern Motorway.
• SH1 Westland St Onramp
• SH6 Queenstown to Cromwell (Kawarau Gorge) – Area Warning – Delays – Due to short stops at multiple sites, road users may experience accumulated delays of between 20 – 30 minutes while travelling through Kawarau Gorge this week. Please plan for this additional travel time between the hours of 7 am and 6 pm from Monday 8 April to Friday 13 April.

Southland

• SH96 Wreys Bush to Dunearn – Area Warning – Caution – Due to the road conditions being slippery just south of Wreys Bush, there is a temporary speed restriction of 50 km/h. Road users are advised to take extra care.

MetService – Severe Weather Warnings

Issued by MetService at 10:13 am Tuesday 10-Apr-2018

Heavy Snow for Canterbury High Country and Kaikoura Ranges, easing.
Severe gales for parts of the upper South Island.

A strong, cold southerly flow over the South Island gradually eases today.

Heavy snow to 500 metres about the Canterbury High Country and Kaikoura Ranges should ease this afternoon.

Gales associated with the passage of the low are expected to affect the upper South Island and many parts of the North Island until early Wednesday morning. Severe gales are expected about parts of Westland and Buller, the Marlborough Sounds.
People are advised to stay up to date with the latest forecasts in case other areas are added to the Warning.

Heavy Snow Warning

Heavy snow may disrupt travel in affected areas and could damage trees and powerlines. Cold conditions may cause stress for livestock.

• Area: Kaikoura Ranges
Valid: 8 hours from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Tuesday
Forecast: A further 10 to 15cm of snow is possible down to 500 metres and over 20cm above 600 metres until this (Tuesday) evening.

• Area: Canterbury Plains and High Country
Valid: 3 hours from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm Tuesday
Forecast: Snow should ease around midday today (Tuesday). A further 5 to 10cm of snow may accumulate to 500 metres during this time.

Strong Wind Warning

Strong wind gusts could damage trees, powerlines and unsecured structures. Driving may be hazardous, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.

• Area: Marlborough Sounds
Valid: 8 hours from 3:00pm to 11:00pm Tuesday
Forecast: Southerlies expected to rise to severe gale, gusting 120km/h or more Tuesday afternoon through to Tuesday night.

• Area: Buller and Westland north of the Glaciers
Valid: 8 hours from 7:00am to 3:00pm Tuesday
Forecast: Southeasterlies are expected to rise to severe gale gusting 140km/h in exposed places Tuesday morning, easing Tuesday afternoon.

MetService – Road Snowfall Warnings

Issued by MetService at 11:06am Tuesday 10th April 2018 Valid until 10:00pm Tuesday 10th April

• Lewis Pass (SH7)
Snow should ease early this afternoon.Until around 2pm this afternoon, a further 2 to 5cm of snow may accumulate near the summit with lesser amounts down to 400 metres.

• Arthur's Pass (SH73)
Snow should ease early this afternoon, until around 2pm this afternoon, a further 2 to 5cm of snow may accumulate near the summit with lesser amounts down to 400 metres.

• Porters Pass (SH73)
Periods of snow are expected until midday Wednesday.During this time, expect a further 20 to 30cm of snow to accumlate near the summit with lesser amounts down to 400 metres.Snow flurries may reach 300 metres at times.

• Haast Pass (SH6)
Snow showers are possible from this evening until around dawn Wednesday. From 6pm today until 6am Wednesday, 1 to 2cm to accumulate near the summit.

• Lindis Pass (SH8)
Snow showers are expected to return this evening,then ease Wednesday morning. From 8pm this evening to 9am Wednesday 1 to 2cm may accumulate above 700 metres.

• Crown Range Road
Rain is expected to turn to snow Monday night. From 9pm Monday to 5am Tuesday,5 to 10cm of snow may accumulate about the summit with lesser amounts down to 400 metres. Further snow showers are likely Tuesday afternoon and evening, from 3pm through to midnight Tuesday, expect a further 1 to 3cm about the summit.

• Milford Road (SH94)
Snow showers should ease early Wednesday morning, and 2 to 5cm of snow may settle on the road above 400 metres.

• Dunedin to Waitati Highway (SH1)
Although snow flurries are still possible near the summit, snow is no longer expected to settle on the road and the warning is lifted.

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