Drivers are being urged to take extreme care on South Island roads on Friday as ice and snow warnings are in place.
Chains should be carried in the alpine passes across the whole of the South Island and there's a black ice warning around the Queenstown District Lakes area. There's also black ice on the Lindis Pass, State Highway 8, between Omarama to Tarras.
Milford Rd to Te Anau is closed due to snowfall and a avalanche risk. State Highway 6 from Haast to Makarora is now open after it was closed this morning.
State Highway 73 has reopened after being closed overnight between Arthurs Pass and Otira due to heavy snowfall. Chains are essential as the snow will continue to fall, but should clear later this morning.
State Highway 7 between Springs Junction and Hanmer requires chains to be carried, as well as The Rahu Saddle (Springs Junction to Reefton), after 30-40cm of snow - which continues to fall. An ice warning was issued for Canterbury roads this morning but it has since been lifted.
The snow on the Fox Hills between the Franz and Fox Glaciers has been cleared.
Snow clearing on the Lewis Pass on Thursday night (NZTA)
"Please keep safe following distances and drive prepared for the cold and slippery winter conditions," New Zealand Transport Agency journey manager Lee Wright says.
State Highway 1 from Waitati to Dunedin to Pine Hill is open.
The NZTA is asking motorists to check the road conditions before heading out anywhere today.
Friday forecast
The forecast is mainly fine for the South Island with showers easing around the West Coast and towards the east.
Fiordland and north of Greymouth may see heavier rain. The snow expected in Queenstown didn't make it to lake level, but there is a dusting around the hills.
The temperatures are warming up for the rest of the day, a MetService spokesperson says.
Thunderstorms and rain are expected for the west of the North Island. Wellington will have a fine sunny day. Showers are easing in the east of the island and a few light showers remain for the coast in the north and the west.
Central North Island is a little cooler with snow on the desert road.
Mountains
The mountains down south are reporting the best week of powder yet with more snow overnight for The Remarkables, Coronet Peak and Treble Cone. Cardrona and Mt Hutt are also open for business today with a sunny forecast but winds expected.
In the north, Whakapapa is closed on Ruapehu but Turoa is open. Both have had fresh snow of up to 60cm in the last 24 hours.
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