Cars stuck as heavy snow closes some South Island highways

<p>A front moving across the country is bringing heavy rain, strong west to northwest gales to parts of central New Zealand and the Chatham Islands, and continuing snowfall to parts of Canterbury, MetService says.</p> <p>The weather disruptions came as many families were expected to be on the road this weekend for the start of the school holidays.</p> <p>A strong wind watch is in place for the Chatham Islands from 5pm to midnight Sunday, with northwesterly winds that may approach to severe gales in exposed areas from the late afternoon and southwesterly in the late evening.</p> <p>A road snowfall warning is in effect for Desert Road (SH1) from 6pm Sunday to 1am Monday.