Winter driving conditions, including snow and ice, are affecting several southern roads today (7 Aug).

Drivers are asked to take extra care on SH94, Lumsden to Te Anau, and SH6, Kingston to Lumsden.

Gorge Hill, 9.30am, Sunday 7 Aug. Photo: Southroads

Meanwhile the Milford Road remains open, with snow from East Gate (Hollyford) to Donne River (Westgate). A moderate avalanche warning however remains in place.

Weather Situation (8.50am, Sunday 7th August)

A front over the lower South Island brings a period of widespread rain over the region and snowfall now to about 300-400m over a wide area.

The rear edge of this is now coming onto the coast so a clearance should gradually spread inland during the morning, signs of this already evident with cloud lifting a little both on the coast and in parts of western Southland.

Although pressures are now rising quickly south of the Tasman and New Zealand, and this will have the effect of reducing shower activity somewhat, colder air is expected to lower snow levels a little further and some further falls of snow are likely this afternoon and evening.

High pressure looks set to lie below NZ into early next week and even though there may be easterly breezes overnight temperatures are likely to fall below freezing inland with some frost and road icing risk.

Today

Snow falls to 300m inland this morning and rain on the coast, but slowly clearing from the south for a time. Moderate southerly winds, tending more SE this afternoon with further showers and snow levels lowering to slightly below 200m, but falls should be fairly light.

Monday 8 Aug

Fresh easterly quarter winds, isolated showers in the east, light snow there to 200m. Lighter winds inland and frost likely.

Tuesday 9 Aug

Moderate easterly quarter winds fine and frost at night.

Wednesday 10 Aug

Fine morning, a few showers and moderate SW breezes in the afternoon. Snow level 800m

Outlook

Apart from some coastal cloud it should be reasonably fine late in the week with further frost inland.

Source: 45S Weather Services Ltd