A section of State Highway 94 Te Anau to Milford Sound that is subject to avalanche risk has reopened but is due to close again at 4.30pm today because of more forecast snow.

The reopening will allow vehicles to move in and out of Milford Sound and the next closure is due to take effect at 4.30pm from the Lower Hollyford Road intersection to Donne River. A further reopening is expected by mid-morning tomorrow after snow ploughing, but the timing is still to be confirmed.

State Highway 6 between Makarora and Lake Hāwea in Otago remains closed because of substantial slips blocking the road.

The previous update, below, stated that the Crown Range Road (not a state highway) was still closed, but in fact it reopened about 7am this morning.

With various other warnings around the central and lower South Island due to flooding, slips or “winter driving conditions”, road users are asked to take extra care and to plan ahead of travelling, especially inland.

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28 August 2026, 7.30am – Slip closes part of SH6, warnings in place   

State Highway 6 between Makarora and Lake Hāwea in Otago has been closed this morning because of a slip.

Road users are being asked to avoid the area or delay their journeys if possible. The closure comes after heavy rain and snow from the winter storm that has affected the South Island, with slips, rockfalls and treefalls a continuing concern. 

State Highway 94 Te Anau to Milford Sound remains closed from the Lower Hollyford Road intersection to Donne River because of avalanche risk, with reopening expected tomorrow based on current forecasts. 

The Crown Range Road (not a state highway) is also closed this morning, between Eastburn Road and Cardrona, due to “adverse weather conditions”.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi also has Area Warnings in place because of surface flooding for SH6 from Haast to Hokitika on the West Coast, State Highway 8A from Tarras to Luggate in Otago, State Highway 8 from Omarama to Clearburn in Canterbury, and from Springfield to Otira on State Highway 73 where winter driving conditions remain after a closure because of snow yesterday.

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27 August 2026, 4.45pm – Flooding watch overnight as snowfall eases

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) and its roading crews will continue monitoring state highways overnight for any further flooding and slips as the risk of disruption from snow diminishes.

All of the South Island’s state highways are open after a winter storm hit the island today, with the exception of part of State Highway 94 between Milford Sound and Te Anau, where the avalanche risk means that the road will remain closed at least until Friday.

An NZTA Area Warning for surface flooding will remain in place tonight for the 278km stretch of State Highway 6 from Haast to Hokitika on the West Coast. MetService heavy rain warnings remain in effect on the West Coast until tomorrow, and further heavy rain has the potential to cause more flooding or to bring down rocks and debris onto the roads.

MetService’s road snowfall warnings for the South Island have largely been lifted after heavy snow fell in places today, causing the closure of part of State Highway 73 for several hours. NZTA Area Warnings for snow on State Highways 8 and 80 in the Mackenzie Basin have also been lifted.

People are encouraged to keep up with the latest weather forecasts and status of the state highways on this website. If they do travel, people are asked to take extra care on the roads, especially on inland highways and alpine passes.

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27 August 2026, 1.15pm – SH73 fully reopened 

State Highway 73 between Otira and Springfield is now fully open after being closed because of snow.

Road users are advised to take extra care as winter driving conditions remain.

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27 August 2026, 12.30pm – Part of closed section of SH73 reopened

State Highway 73 between Otira and Arthur’s Pass village has reopened after a closure due to snow. However, the section of SH73 on the Canterbury side between Arthur’s Pass village and Springfield remains closed.

An update on this remaining section of closed highway is expected by early afternoon today. People travelling between Otira and Arthur’s Pass village are asked to travel with extra care.  

Area warnings remain in place for snow on State Highways 8 and 80 in the Mackenzie Basin, and for surface flooding on State Highway 6 on the West Coast. Snowfalls across the South Island from the current winter storm are expected to ease later this afternoon.   

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27 August 2026, 10.30am – Warnings now in place for Mackenzie Basin highways

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) now has Area Warnings in place for state highways in the Mackenzie Basin as snow presents a risk to road users.

The official warnings are in place for State Highway 8 from Fairlie to Tekapo (including Burkes Pass), and State Highway 80 from Glentanner to Mount Cook Village, because of snow. Motorists are urged to travel with caution – including reducing their speeds, increasing their following distances, avoiding sudden braking or turning movements, and staying as visible as possible.

State Highway 73 between Springfield and Otira (including Arthur’s Pass) remains closed because of snow (see latest image below and attached).

NZTA Area Warnings also remain in place for surface flooding on State Highway 6, from Haast to Fox Glacier, and from Lake Wahapo (near Whataroa) to Harihari, on the West Coast.

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27 August 2026, 9.15am - SH73 snow closure to continue

The closure of State Highway 73 between Springfield and Otira (including Arthur’s Pass) due to snow is expected to continue through this morning as roading crews assess and seek to clear the road.

With about 15-25cm of snow having fallen from Porters Pass through to Craigieburn Cutting on SH73, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) and its contractors will be monitoring to see how much further snow falls as it plans for a reopening. A further update is expected around midday. 

State Highway 94 Te Anau to Milford Sound remains closed from the Lower Hollyford Road intersection to Donne River because of the avalanche risk, with reopening expected from mid to late morning on Friday based on current forecasts.

NZTA Area Warnings are in place for surface flooding on State Highway 6, from Haast to Fox Glacier, and from Lake Wahapo (near Whataroa) to Harihari, on the West Coast.

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27 August 2026, 6am – Snow closure as storm sets in

State Highway 73 is closed between Springfield and Otira this morning because of snow (see map below). Multiple rockfalls are also reported in the area, and people are asked to avoid the area or delay their journeys. 

State Highway 94 Te Anau to Milford Sound remains closed from the Lower Hollyford Road intersection to Donne River because of the avalanche risk.

Area Warnings are in place for surface flooding on SH6, from Makarora (Otago) to Fox Glacier (West Coast); and from Lake Wahapo (near Whataroa) to Harihari on the West Coast.

The worst effects of the current winter storm are expected to unfold today, and people travelling around the South Island – especially inland and through alpine areas – are urged to keep an eye on weather forecasts and the status of the highways at NZTA’s Journey Planner (external link) site.

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26 August 2026, 2.15pm – Winter storm arrives and highways in firing line

The effects of a significant winter storm are already being felt in the South Island as a reminder is sent to road users to carefully consider their travel over the next couple of days. 

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) has an Area Warning in place today for State Highway 6 between Makarora (Otago) and Fox Glacier (West Coast) because of surface flooding as forecast heavy rain has arrived for western parts of the island. Surface flooding has also impacted State Highway 1 today in south Dunedin.

State Highway 94 Te Anau to Milford Sound is closed from the Lower Hollyford Road intersection to Donne River because of the avalanche risk. An escorted convoy out of Milford Sound is planned for 3pm today for anyone wishing to leave the popular tourist destination. Otherwise, the road is due to remain closed today and throughout Thursday on current forecasts, with a possible reopening Friday.

In addition to the heavy rain on the West Coast, significant snowfalls are still expected from tonight in inland areas. MetService has a Heavy Snow Watch in place for the Canterbury high country south of the Rangitata River, and Otago north of Arrowtown to Ranfurly. Up to 20cm is predicted for State Highway 73, and up to 15cm over the Lindis Pass summit on State Highway 8.

State Highways 8 and 80 in the Mackenzie Basin could be hit especially hard by snowfalls arriving overnight. Heavy snowfalls are likely to impact travel on the state highways, and while NZTA contractors will be out working around the clock to keep the roads open, sections of highway may be closed or restrictions imposed where necessary to keep people safe and avoid vehicles and their occupants becoming trapped.   

NZTA urges road users to consider the risks of travelling, especially inland and via alpine passes, while the storm is in progress and state highways are affected. People should keep an eye on weather forecasts and the status of the highways at NZTA’s Journey Planner (external link) site.

In winter driving conditions where traction is affected by snow/ice or heavy rain, motorists are urged to reduce their speeds, increase their following distances, avoid sudden braking or turning movements and to stay as visible as possible. Carrying warm clothing, food and water is also recommended in case of travel delays or detours.

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Update 24 August

A “significant winter storm” looming later this week could bring heavy snowfall and rain to parts of the South Island and motorists are being warned of the potential for travel disruption. 
   
MetService says the storm will spread onto the South Island from the Tasman Sea on Wednesday (26 August) and is expected to bring prolonged heavy rain for the West Coast, and heavy snow for parts of inland Otago and South Canterbury. It has moderate confidence of warning amounts of snow late on Wednesday above about 700 metres, for Central Otago and the Queenstown Lakes District, northwards to the Mackenzie Basin.

Private forecasting supplied to NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) suggests more than 30cm of snow could affect State Highways 8 and 80 in the Mackenzie Basin/South Canterbury on Thursday (27 August), while further north up to 20cm could fall on State Highway 73 above 700m elevation between Christchurch and the West Coast. Accumulations at this level are likely to impede travel and NZTA may close sections of highway or introduce restrictions to keep people safe and avoid vehicles becoming trapped.   

Roading crews will be out around the clock clearing snow or other obstructions and making the highways as safe as possible. People planning to travel on the state highways during this time, especially inland and via alpine passes, are urged to keep an eye on weather forecasts and the status of the highways at NZTA’s Journey Planner site.

In winter driving conditions where traction is affected by snow/ice or heavy rain, motorists are urged to reduce their speeds, increase their following distances, avoid sudden braking or turning movements and to stay as visible as possible. Carrying warm clothing, food and water is also recommended in case of travel delays or detours.