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Snow, gale force winds and heavy rain set to hammer South Island

Author
Otago Daily Times,
Publish Date
Mon, 17 Sep 2018, 10:39AM
Heavy snow has been falling since about 4am in Queenstown, leaving parts of the town without power. (Photo: Shaun Barnett)
Heavy snow has been falling since about 4am in Queenstown, leaving parts of the town without power. (Photo: Shaun Barnett)

Snow, gale force winds and heavy rain set to hammer South Island

Author
Otago Daily Times,
Publish Date
Mon, 17 Sep 2018, 10:39AM

Heavy snow dumps have closed schools, forced flight cancellations and left some motorists stranded as a bitter cold snap heads up the country.

Snow in elevated areas, gale force winds and heavy rain have descended on the South Island today as an active front tracks northward.

While the North Island will remain relatively unscathed, cloud and scattered rain is predicted across several centres.

Heavy snow has been falling since about 4am in Queenstown, leaving parts of the resort without power. Up to 15cm has settled on the ground in some of the resort's suburbs.

Wakatipu High School and various primaries including Queenstown Primary are closed, along with numerous daycare centres.

All flights scheduled to arrive or depart at Queenstown Airport have been cancelled, although the airport remained open.

 

 An 08.10am update from the airport reads: "Snow continues to fall causing delays and cancellations. Please contact your airline for more information. The airport is open however snow is covering the parking sensors giving inaccurate readings - we do have parking spaces.''

A heavy snow watch is in place for North Otago, inland Dunedin and the Clutha District with areas over 500m possibly getting significant snow accumulation.

The Queenstown Lakes District Council said several people had been stranded on the Crown Range Rd after snowfall.

Queenstown Primary School has also been closed for the day due to the snowfall and power outages as well as Queenstown's local newspaper Mountain Scene.

All of the schools in the Wakatipu Basin were also reportedly closed due to the snow.

The late-season flurry began in the early hours and was settling on the roads in some neighbourhoods.

Snow has also fallen across the Wakatipu Basin this morning and on the Lindis Pass.

State Highway 94 from Te Anau to Milford Sound is currently closed due to forecast heavy snow and rain.

Road snow warnings are in place for the Haast Pass (SH6), Lindis Pass (SH8), Crown Range Road and the Dunedin to Waitati Highway (SH1).

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