Wintry blast plunges temps, SH3 Awakino Gorge swamped by flooding as heavy rain hits
A severe spring cold snap is causing heavy snowfall and flooding across New Zealand, leading to road closures and travel warnings. Authorities are urging motorists to exercise caution as extreme weather impacts both the North and South Islands.
Why it matters
Extreme weather events disrupt critical infrastructure and supply chains, posing immediate safety risks to the public.
At least one alpine road could be blanketed in 10cm of snow as a spring cold snap sweeps across the country.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) said the snowfall could affect Canterbury’s inland state highways, particularly Porters Pass on State Highway 73.
The warning comes as flooding affects highways across the lower and central South Island, with roads inundated on Westport and Greymouth and today on SH87 in Mosgiel and SH83 between Ōamaru and Kurow.
No closures or restrictions had been required on those roads, but motorists were urged to avoid driving through floodwaters.
Meanwhile, flooding forced the closure of a North Island highway earlier today as heavy rain lashed parts of the country.
MetService said rain was expected to move north across the North Island today, with heavier bursts possible in Auckland, Northland and Bay of Plenty before conditions improve later in the day.
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