The road between Te Anau and Milford Sound received its first taste of real winter weather this week, with the Milford Sound Piopiotahi highway, SH94, closed for the third day in a row today.

Snow is blanketing the area and the Homer Tunnel portals. There was 10-15cm snow above 600m this morning, followed by rain this afternoon.

The road is closed from East Gate (Hollyford) to West Gate (Chasm) and is expected to remain closed tomorrow (Thursday September 17).

Advertisement

Advertise on the Southland App

Significant avalanche activity was occurring today, according to Te Waka Kotuia New Zealand Transport Agency advisories.

Snow was forecast to continue falling in the avalanche start zones through Thursday, with 15cm expected at road level. 

There would be showers in the west on Friday, with fine spells not expected until the weekend.

The east portal is blanketed with snow today. PHOTO: Graham Clarke/NZTA

The avalanche risk has been assessed as high, Milford Road Alliance Manager Kevin Thompson said.

“We have had a pretty mild winter to date but this week winter conditions arrived for real. We have had some large avalanches in recent days as we forecasted.

“As soon as we get a safe weather window, we will use helicopters to reduce the avalanche risk with managed explosions in strategic spots to remove large volumes of snow above the road,” he said.

Mr Thompson said the current storm system was likely to run to the weekend, however if the road could be safely reopened for parts or all of this time, it would be. 

Advertisement

Advertise on the Southland App

Vehicles and people stuck in Milford Sound Piopiotahi on Monday were escorted in convoy through the area to get back to Te Anau on Tuesday afternoon, during a short, safer time period to travel.

“We are keen to reopen at the earliest safe opportunity, both for our crews and for all road users and visitors to Milford Sound Piopiotahi,” Mr Thompson said.

An update should be available by 7.30am Thursday.

• Please check this link for updates: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/roadclosures/313652