Snow and ice over the South Island this evening: highway summary

The NZ Transport Agency advises all South Island road travellers to check the Traffic and Travel website and the map showing area warnings and closures for highway updates before heading out tonight and tomorrow morning.

Traffic and travel information page(external link)

Traffic information map(external link)

With more snow forecast this evening and into tomorrow (Thursday) morning, there may be overnight road closures due to ice, snow and black ice road conditions.

Please drive with extreme care, and patience, and think about whether you need to travel this evening.

• State Highway 85 in Otago, Becks/ Palmerston to Kyeburn, has just reopened, also SH87 Kyeburn to Outram. 

Passes

As at 3 pm, Porters Pass (Springfield to Arthur’s Pass) remains closed however, it may open to chains and no towing vehicles before 4 pm. Please check the Canterbury web(external link) map for updates after 3 pm.

Lewis Pass (SH7), the Lindis Pass (SH8) and Burkes Pass are open, but please read our earlier warning re snowfall forecast for Burkes and Lindis later today.

• Lindis and Burkes Pass warning for later this afternoon and tonight(external link).

Kaikoura: the inland Waiau/ Mt Lyford road remains closed due to ice and snow - update at 7am Thursday. SH1 is open till 6 pm tonight to the south of Kaikoura.

State Highways: Closures

• State Highway 93 Mataura to Clinton(external link) in Southland remains closed.
• Porters Pass, SH73, remains closed but please check map(external link) as it may open later today.

How to stay up to date:

• www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic(external link) 
• Important information is also shared via the Transport Agency’s official Twitter and Facebook accounts listed here https://www.nzta.govt.nz/contact-us/connect-with-us/
• Find safe winter driving tips at www.nzta.govt.nz/winterjourneys(external link) 
• If you live in Queenstown Lakes District, or travel to and from Queenstown, sign up for QLDC’s winter road reports here(external link)
• Drivers can also call 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49) to speak to the call centre team who can provide them with traffic and travel information either before they’re travelling or when they’re on the road, safely parked off the highway
• MetService road snowfall warnings here(external link)
• extended weather forecast for all areas of New Zealand this week here(external link)
• MetService severe weather warnings here(external link)

Simple rules for safe winter travelling:

• allow extra time
• ensure your vehicle is safe for winter driving 
• drive to the road and weather conditions
• slow down and be prepared for unexpected hazards
• allow greater following distance between you and the vehicle ahead
• make sure your cell phone is well charged, check car charger also
• have blankets, snacks, bottles of water ready in case of emergency or a breakdown.