Icy Roads a Risk for Drivers

Issued at 02:38pm 25-Jun-2007

Icy Roads a Risk for Drivers

The cold hand of winter is holding New Zealand firmly in its grip. Light amounts of snow are affecting some of the country's higher parts until Monday night. During the next few days MetService meteorologists are forecasting new problems for travellers. Severe frosts and freezing fogs are likely to make driving conditions treacherous around the South Island and for the central plateau and southern parts of the North Island.

"A wintry anticyclone is expected to cross the country from Tuesday to Thursday", commented MetService Weather Ambassador, Bob McDavitt. "This will bring clear skies at night with light winds. Many Southland and Otago roads are still cold and wet from recent snow. Conditions will be conducive to the formation of patches of black ice, especially in the shadows. Airports near rivers and lakes, such as Te Anau, Wanaka, Queenstown and Dunedin, will be prone to freezing fog conditions, and these may cause delays."

Mr. McDavitt added that fog and frost are typical of a New Zealand winter. "Drivers will need to exercise extra caution on the roads when they find these conditions occurring together. The latest weather conditions and warnings are available via the media and the MetService web site."

ENDS

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