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Low level snow could be on the way for many parts of the South Island overnight and into Tuesday, with MetService issuing warnings for travelers and farmers.
Several cars have reportedly been stranded atop the Crown Ranges in Queenstown after heavy snowfall.
The widespread storms experienced across much of the country over the weekend “remain a significant meteorological event” and are expected to be haunted by a series of cold fronts that will travel across the country over the next two days, MetService says.
Forecasters have issued a series of heavy snow alerts and road snow warnings.
In the lower parts of the South Island, snow could fall to sea level during the night and Monday morning, the lowest this year.
And in the west of the Nelson region, Buller and Northwest snow are expected to reach 400 meters with heavy snow above 500 meters, starting Monday night.
MetService meteorologist Mmathatelo Makgabutlane says cold conditions will affect farmers.
“We are on the lookout for possible heavy snow conditions in the lower South Island, which includes Clutha, Central Otago, Southland and Fiordland.
“We expect the snow to reach at least 300 meters overnight and then possibly reach sea level tomorrow morning.”
Snow coupled with strong cold winds from the southwest will make conditions particularly harsh, forecasters say.
Many high roads and passes through the South Island could receive heavy snowfall, disrupting traffic. In particular, snow is expected on the Crown Range Highway, the Lindis, Lewis, Haast and Arthur Passes, and the Dunedin to Waitati Expressway for Sunday night and Monday.
About 20 inches of snow is expected on Milford Road through Sunday and Monday, possibly down to sea level.
Snow showers are expected on the North Island on the Desert Highway on Monday morning that could see accumulate up to 2 cm at the highest points.
Those traveling should keep up to date with forecasts and warnings for the areas they are traveling in, as the storm develops, says MetService.
