A lightning strike has cut power to central areas of the North Island and snow has trapped cars in the South Island, as stormy weather continues to pummel the country.

There are warnings over the Auckland Harbour Bridge, with strong winds striking the area this morning.

The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) told motorists to take extra care.

The weather system is expected to move off the country this morning, but not before dumping more snow and heavy rain on already-battered areas.

Residents in South Canterbury have awoken to a winter wonderland this morning, with thick snow covering roads and farmland.

Snow on Main Street, Fairlie, South Canterbury (SH8). Photo / Yvonne Shaw

Fairlie local Yvonne Shaw was watching the snow coming down fast when she spoke to the Herald just before 8am.

She said they had snow on Labour Weekend last year so it was not uncommon to see so late in the season, but she said it was not anywhere near this heavy.

“And I think it’s a bit more widespread because there are a heck of a lot of road closures everywhere.”

Shaw said it was a freezing night and morning, but nothing an extra blanket could not tackle.

She worried about the plans to turn off the power tomorrow so linesmen could fix the lines downed in last week’s wild winds.

She said elderly residents near here relied on the power and did not have fireplaces like others around them.

In the North Island, Transpower had declared a grid emergency this morning after a lightning strike.

“The tripping of the Whirinaki, Wairakei and Harapak, Tauhara circuits, due to a lightning strike, caused a loss of supply to the Hawke’s Bay and a loss of connection for Harapaki, Whirinaki and Waikaremoana generation,” the notification read.

Meanwhile, police said vehicles are trapped on the Haast and Lindis passes with contractors working to clear the snow to get them out.

Snow has also closed State Highway 8 from Fairlie to Twizel.

The Mt Cook turn-off is also blocked, with SH83 between Ōmarama and Kurow, SH87 from Kyeburn to Mosgiel and SH1 between Dunedin and Waitati.

A heavy snow warning is in place until 11am for the Canterbury High Country south of SH73, Queenstown Lakes District about and north of Wānaka, and Central Otago about and north of Ranfurly.

Snow on Main Street, Fairlie, South Canterbury (SH8). Photo / Yvonne Shaw

MetService said travel disruption and damage to trees and powerlines is possible, as is stress to livestock.

A heavy snow watch also covers Banks Peninsula until 1pm.

Road snowfall warnings are in place today for Arthur’s Pass (SH73), Desert Road (SH1), Haast Pass (SH6), Lewis Pass (SH7) and Porters Pass (SH73).

Warnings for Crown Range Rd, Dunedin to Waitati Highway (SH1) and Milford Rd (SH94) lapsed in the early hours of this morning.

Yesterday, a severe thunderstorm watch was issued for Northland, Auckland, Great Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Rotorua, lasting until 5am this morning.

Most of these have lapsed, but there is still a risk of wild weather for the eastern ranges of Bay of Plenty until 4pm.

MetService is telling residents to expect 80 to 130mm of rain this morning.

Many roads remain blocked around the central North Island due to fallen trees and debris.

The cold front is expected to move off the country in the second half of today, which would be followed by a “disturbed west to southwest flow” which is expected to cover most of the country, according to MetService.

There is a moderate chance of thunderstorms for the central North Island during the afternoon, from Waikato to Whanganui and across to northern Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne, with localised rainfall rates of 10 to 20mm/h.

“A broad low risk of thunderstorms then covers the remaining parts of central and northern New Zealand, also spreading to Fiordland and Stewart Island at night,” MetService reported.