Weather: South Island snow and flooding affect highways as cold snap hits
Snow and surface flooding are affecting highways across the lower South Island as a cold snap grips the region.
Motorists are being urged to drive to the conditions as snow settles on roads.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) said grit trucks had been deployed on State Highway 6 between Lowther and Parawa in Southland.
Surface flooding was reported on SH1 in central Dunedin, the agency said.
Stretches of SH96 and SH99 were also reported to be affected by flooding.
No weather-related closures or restrictions were in place as of 3.45pm.
Road snowfall warnings are in force for several alpine passes into tomorrow, including the Crown Range Rd, where a warning is in force until 3am Thursday.
A heavy snow watch for Central Otago, the Southern Lakes and Mackenzie Basin continues until 2am.
A heavy rain watch for the ranges of Westland District remains in place until midnight Thursday.
Motorists have been reminded of the ongoing closure of SH6 between Lake Hāwea and Makarora because of slips caused by recent weather.
Weather permitting, the road will reopen daily for three convoys.
Southbound convoys leave Makarora village at 7.15am, 12.45pm and 6.15pm and northbound convoys leave Isthmus Peak carpark at 8am, noon and 5.30pm.
Stabilisation work is underway on the zigzags from Crown Terrace to SH6 near Arrowtown, with a one-lane closure operated by traffic lights in place 24/7 for several weeks.
Motorists are advised to allow extra time, especially at peak travel periods.
Temperatures should begin recovering after tomorrow, with Christchurch forecast to reach about 16C on Friday.
The wintry turn comes weeks after New Zealand recorded its third-warmest winter on record, with only one winter since 2000 colder than average.