Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Heavy snowfall in South Island disrupts flights, cuts power
Heavy rain warnings and snowfall is disrupting travel and damaging powerlines as the South Island braces for another cold blitz.
Glenorchy Road is closed from Bob's Cove due to a fallen tree and damaged powerlines.
The Crown Range is now Chains to be fitted from Chain Bay 1 and Chain Bay 7.
A number of cars already stranded up the top. pic.twitter.com/3FkqRNcCKR
— QLDC (@QueenstownLakes) September 16, 2018
MetService warned heavy snow from overnight and carrying into this morning, at Central Otago, Southland and Fiordland, may disrupt travel and could damage trees and powerlines.
Queenstown Airport earlier warned travellers in a tweet this morning that all flights scheduled to arrive or depart the airport before 10am were cancelled.
Air New Zealand and Jetstar have cancelled several flights but the airport advised passengers to check their flight status online for more information.
However, the runway has been cleared from snowfall and the airport is open.
Some schools are closed or are starting late due to surface flooding and snow on the roads in Queenstown.
Queenstown Lakes District Council also advised the Glenorchy Road was shut from Bob's Cove due to a fallen tree and damaged powerlines.
There were also reportedly a number of cars stranded at the top of Queenstown's Crown Ranges.
Meanwhile, Coronet Peak has shut for the day due to a mountain-wide power outage it said on its Twitter account.
Cardrona Alpine Resort was also experiencing difficulties getting a handle on the snowfall and said the resort would be closed for now.
The cold conditions may also cause stress for livestock, MetService said on its website.
The weather agency stated snowfall may hit warning amounts above 500m in inland Dunedin and North Otago.
Fiordland, Westland south of Otira and Otago Headwaters and Canterbury Lakes and rivers are also expecting heavy rain today.
The rainfall may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly, according to MetService.
Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous.
As expected, snow has started falling in Otago. Keep up to date with latest Road Snow forecasts https://t.co/aIkbAHKg1S, Warnings https://t.co/Sd5C6lrsSL and Watches https://t.co/bcFLKY4OUU for the southern South Island. ^AG pic.twitter.com/7zROc8GcIE
— MetService (@MetService) September 16, 2018
Last night, SH94 Te Anna to Milford Sound was shut due to heavy snow and trees.
SH94 TE ANAU TO MILFORD SOUND - SNOW AND RAIN - 5:10PM
Due to forecast heavy snow and rain, this road is CLOSED. Please avoid the area. ^HJ pic.twitter.com/aVOzK4Cj1y
— NZTA Otago/Southland (@NZTAOS) September 16, 2018
Here's a quick time lapse over the past hour or so from our @niwa_nz Lauder site where snow is falling this morning...and accumulating! #springsnow
— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) September 16, 2018
~Chris pic.twitter.com/PMonefVJyF
RNZ
New Zealand's public broadcaster, providing comprehensive NZ news and current affairs, specialist audio features and documentaries.
Radio New Zealand is a Crown entity established under the Radio New Zealand Act 1995. Radio New Zealand News are vital elements in our programming, providing impartial news and information to New Zealanders every day. Radio New Zealand (RNZ) provides listeners with exciting and independent radio programmes in accordance with the Radio New Zealand Charter.
Peter Dunne: Luxon Gets Out His Butcher's Knife - Briefly
Binoy Kampmark: Warring Against Encryption, Australia Is Coming For Your Communications
Gordon Campbell: On Fast Track Powers, Media Woes And The Tiktok Ban
Binoy Kampmark: Censorship Wars, Elon Musk, Safety Commissioners And Violent Content
Gordon Campbell: On The Public Sector Carnage, And Misogyny As Terrorism
Ramzy Baroud: NATO’s Never-ending War: The 75-Year-Old Bully Is Faltering