South Island drivers are being urged to check the NZ Transport Agency website for road closures, before heading through alpine areas and inland Otago this week.

Several vehicles had to be towed out of Porters Pass last night after getting stuck in snow and ice.

Snow closed SH1 south of Kaikōura earlier today but it has since reopened with road patrols active.

Waka Kotahi Journey Manager Tresca Forrester, said “expect driving conditions to be challenging and road conditions to change quickly through the week. 

People should check the Waka Kotahi map and MetService snow forecasts.” 

Closed currently due to snow – Otago/Canterbury

SH8 Fairlie to Twizel, Burkes Pass

 SH8 Tarras to Omarama, the Lindis Pass 

 SH85 Palmerston to Kyeburn 

 SH87 Outram, west of Mosgiel, to Kyeburn

 Canterbury: Not closed but snowing and chains needed some routes:

SH73, Porters Pass, Springfield to Castle Hill and Arthur’s Pass to Otira: Chains essential, no towing vehicles.

 SH7, the Lewis Pass north and west of Waipara: Snowing down to Shale Peak, snow Weka Pass to Hurunui, strong winds – care needed, especially high-sided vehicles.

 SH77, Windwhistle to Methven: Road patrol active, closed to towing vehicles and chains essential.

 Mossburn to Te Anau, SH94 Southland

Care is needed on this route due to snow and ice.

 Dunedin to Waitati, SH1

Ice along this route, drivers need to take care.

CLOSED Traffic update 10AM

• SH8 Fairlie to Twizel (Burkes Pass) – SNOW and ICE

• SH8 Tarras to Omarama (Lindis Pass) – SNOW

• SH85 Palmerston to Kyeburn – SNOW

• SH87 Outram to Kyeburn – SNOW

OPEN WITH RESTRICTIONS

• SH77 Windwhistle to Methven – Snow – Chains essential – Closed to towing vehicles

• SH73 Arthurs Pass to Otria – Snow – Chains essential – Closed to towing vehicles

• SH73 Castle Hill to Arthurs Pass – Snow – Chains essential – Closed to towing vehicles

• SH73 Springfield to Castle Hill – Snow – Chains essential – Closed to towing vehicles..

OPEN WITH CAUTION

• SH1 Pine Hill, Dunedin to Waitati – Ice

• SH6 Hokitika to Fox Glacier – Strong Winds

• SH6 Fox Glacier to Haast – Strong Winds

• SH6 Haast to Makarora – Strong Winds

• SH6 Cromwell to Gibbston (Kawerau Gorge) – Rockfalls

• NEW: SH7 Hanmer Turnoff to Springs Junction (Lewis Pass) – Strong Winds

• NEW: SH7 Springs Junction to Reefton (Rahu Saddle) – Strong Winds

• SH79 Geraldine to Fairlie – Snow and Ice

• SH80 Ben Ohau to Mount Cook – Snow and Ice

• UPDATE: SH85 Kyeburn to Alexandra – SNOW

• SH87 Outram to Kyeburn – Snow

• SH94 Mossburn to Te Anau – Snow

• SH94 Te Anau to Milford – Strong Winds

OPEN

• SH1 Hundalee, near Claverley Rd – SNOW

• All other State Highways remain open.