The Milford Road remains closed from the East Gate (Hollyford) to West Gate (Chasm) due to snow and the avalanche risk has increased to moderate.

Near gale force winds also continue to batter Southland with heavy showers, including hail and thunder, concentrated on the Southland Plains (south of a line between Ohai - Rae's Junction).

Temperatures are low across Southland, 1.5-3C in Owaka and 3.5C in Invercargill, compared to Queenstown which is on 8C.

There may be light falls of snow to 400m with accumulations rising above 500m with only a low risk of anything more than scattered falls up to 1cm towards Gorge Hill, or north of Lumsden.

There is however still a risk of 1-3cm snow on SH93 dropping to 350m, as temperatures fall going into tonight. But amounts should be only 1-3cm and accumulations may rise to 4-6cm overnight above 400m, and higher West Otago roads may get some snow cover

A slight risk of road icing on SH94 and SH6 tonight although wind may prevent any substantial freezing of road surfaces.

Source: 45S Weather Services