Snow and ice have closed two state highways in the south.

SEE ALSO: Wintry blast cuts power, brings snow

State Highway 94 from Te Anau to Milford Sound, and State Highway 73 from Arthur’s Pass to Otira are shut.

State Highway 7, which is the Lewis Pass / Hanmer Springs turnoff to Springs Junction was closed for a time, but is now open for vehicles with chains.

WATCH ABOVE: Snow falls in Hanmer Springs (Video / Maureen Riesterer)

Drivers along State Highway One at Kaikoura are being warned that debris will be washed onto the road by big swells.

Snow and ice debris has also seen State Highway 85 from Ranfurly to Palmerston closed to towing vehicles.

Major highways in the North Island are also now closed by snow and ice including the Desert Rd from Turangi to Waiouru, and Rimutaka Hill Rd.

THE FOLLOWING WARNINGS & ROAD CLOSURES ARE IN PLACE

SH73 Arthurs Pass to Otira (Arthurs Pass) -Ice- Road closed due to ice.

SH73 Springfield to Arthurs Pass (Porters Pass) - Snow - Chains essential and closed to towing vehicles.

SH7 Hanmer Turnoff to Springs Junction (Lewis Pass) - Snow - Chains essential - and closed to towing vehicles.

SH8 Cromwell to Omarama (Lindis Pass) - Snow - Chains essential - closed to towing vehicles.

SH87 Kyeburn to Outram - Snow - Vehicle Restrictions and closed to towing vehicles.

SH85 Ranfurly to Palmerston - Snow - Vehicle Restrictions and closed to towing vehicles.

SH94 Milford Sound to Te Anau (Milford Rd)- Road closed due to snow and avalanche risk.

SH6 Queenstown to Lumsden - SH6 is partly flooded at Diggers Creek Bridge covering both lanes. Road users are advised to take extra care.

STRONG WIND WARNINGS: High-sided vehicle drivers and motorcyclists need to take special care and slow down on these highways

• SH1 Oamaru to Gore
• SH1 Timaru to Glenavy
• SH80 - Twizel to Mt Cook (Mt Cook Highway)
• SH8 Timaru to Omarama
• SH8 Cromwell to Omarama (Lindis Pass)
• SH87 Kyeburn to Outram