Road users, especially those driving lighter or high-sided vehicles and motorcycles, are being urged to take extra care as the South Island is buffeted by strong winds today.

MetService has strong wind watches in place for much of the south, including northwest winds that may approach severe gale in exposed places in the Canterbury High Country and Marlborough southeast of Awatere River.

New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) earlier this morning issued a general warningto road users in the Central Otago region – especially those operating the light or high-sided vehicles – to take extra care due to the strong winds.

A specific warning has also gone out from NZTA to users of State Highway 8, between Geraldine and Omarama, due to strong winds.

MetService is also warning of potentially heavy rain today in the headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers south of Arthur’s Pass, and the headwaters of the Otago lakes and rivers.

State Highway 94 between Te Anau and Milford Sound is also being affected by the weather. The highway will close tonight at 5pm, from Hollyford Junction to Donne River Bridge, due to forecast snow overnight. Road users can expect the road to reopen before 9am tomorrow (Friday) but should watch for snow clearing equipment as snow is forecast throughout the day. The road is likely to close again Friday night due to further snow.

People can stay up to date on the latest status of the state highways at our Journey Planner site.

Plan for a safe, enjoyable journey. Keep up to date with:

• Traffic updates: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic
• Facebook Canterbury & West Coast: facebook.com/nztacwc/
• X NZTA: x.com/nztamain
• X Canterbury & West Coast: x.com/nztacwc
• Instagram: instagram.com/nztransportagency
• TikTok: tiktok.com/@nztransportagency
• Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz
• Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)

© Scoop Media