NZ Weather Warning: Snow and Rockfalls Disrupt Highways
South Island Passes Under Siege
New Zealand transport authorities have issued widespread snow warnings for alpine passes as a winter weather system tracks across the South Island. The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) confirmed that snow is falling on several high-country routes, with hazardous conditions expected to impact road travel throughout the coming days.
Hazardous Conditions on High-Country Routes
As temperatures drop, the cold front is delivering significant snowfall to high-altitude transit routes. The NZTA is advising motorists to carry chains and exercise caution, warning that the intensity of the falls may trigger temporary closures or travel restrictions on short notice. Forecasters indicate that further snow is expected to accumulate on Dunedin’s high-country highways, where local agencies are currently monitoring for ice buildup on road surfaces.
Car-Sized Boulder Closes Gisborne Highway
In the North Island, a major thoroughfare near Gisborne was shut down overnight following a significant rockfall. The incident involved a boulder described by witnesses as being the size of a car. A group of motorists narrowly avoided the debris, reporting that they were unaware of the object until they were in immediate proximity.