Snow settles on hills in Sounds
Snow above the Grove this morning. Photo: Kevin Andrews
Update 11:45 am:
State Highway 63, Renwick to St Arnaud is now open.
This means all previously weather-affected state highways in the upper South Island are now open to traffic.
A good dusting of snow has been captured on camera this morning above Tiri Moana and also across the bay above the Grove by Blenheim resident Kevin Andrews.
Temperatures overnight fell to 4 degrees Celsius, expected to climb to a maximum of 11 degrees Celsius around 1pm today.
MetService meteorologist Andrew James said the last of the snow was starting to pull away from Marlborough but overnight snowfall affected the alpine passes.
State Highway 63 remains closed between St Arnaud and Renwick. Access is being provided for residents, but the highway remains closed to all other traffic.
State Highway 6 has now been closed from Kohatu to Kawatiri Junction. Bad weather and snow have also closed State Highway 63 between Renwick and St Arnaud.
It means people traveling between Blenheim and the West Coast must detour via State Highway 6 and Nelson.
Drivers must avoid the area or delay their journey.
Winter weather conditions are affecting all highways in the top of the South Island, meaning driving conditions are hazardous.
For people heading further south, other highways are also closed due to snow:
- State Highway 7 - Springs Junction to Hanmer Springs Turnoff
- State Highway 73 - Arthurs Pass Village to Springfield (Porters Pass)
- State Highway 1 - Waitati to Dunedin(Leith Saddle)
- State Highway 87 - Outram to Middlemarch
Road users must take extra care on the roads. Reduce your speed and avoid sudden braking – it only takes a split second to lose control in wet or icy conditions.
It means there are no direct routes between Marlborough/Nelson and the West Coast.
Contractors are working hard to clear and reopen both roads but sweeping snow from the highways and gritting roads surfaces will take some time. More bad weather will also delay this work.
Road users must avoid both areas and delay their travel.