Update: Caution urged with rain, snow and ice ahead

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi | 6 Jul 2026 6:26pm | West Coast, Canterbury, Otago, Southland

6.15pm – Caution urged with rain, snow and ice ahead

After a day of weather impacts across the South Island, road users are being encouraged to prepare for more snow, heavy rain or ice that could make driving treacherous, as well as the likelihood of further state highway closures into tomorrow.

With the risk from heavy rain and snow having eased in Otago, snow continues to fall in the Mackenzie Basin (with State Highway 8 Fairlie to Lake Pukaki still closed), and MetService is warning that inland Canterbury north to the top of the South Island could be in the gun with rain and snow overnight and tomorrow.

A rare red heavy rain warning is in place for Marlborough and Canterbury between Ward and Hanmer Springs and southeast of the Awatere Valley, including the Kaikoura Range. This red level of warning carries the risk of a threat to life from dangerous river conditions, significant flooding, slips and impassable roads.

Because of heavy rainfall in places today, and melting snow, there is also a risk of ice build-up in parts of the South Island over the coming days that people should be wary of. Roading crews will be laying grit and anti-ice agents on the highways to assist vehicle traction.

Strong winds remain a threat on the West Coast, where State Highway 6 between Whataroa and Harihari has again been closed this evening due to the risk from winds in the area.

People are encouraged to plan their travel carefully, especially on inland state highways, and to be prepared for closures or disruptions. Keep an eye on MetService weather warnings here, and latest highway conditions and any closures/restrictions at NZTA’s Journey Planner site.

5pm – More snow closes SH8 again

State Highway 8 between Fairlie and Lake Pukaki in the Mackenzie Basin has been closed again with the arrival of more heavy snow.

Roading crews have been ploughing the highway and laying grit, but with the risk again elevated for road users, a decision has been made to close this section of highway.

People planning their travel should be prepared for the closure to remain into this evening, or overnight, given more snow is expected to fall.

3:45pm – Highway closures almost complete

Just a single weather-related highway closure remains after a busy day of impacts on the roading network in the central and lower South Island.

State Highway 1 north of Oamaru in North Otago remains closed due to significant flooding. This stretch of SH1 north to Seven Mile Road will potentially remain closed overnight. A detour is available: southbound traffic should turn right on to Seven Mile Road, then left on to SH83, then right back on to SH1. The reverse applies for northbound traffic.

State Highway 83, between SH1 and Georgetown in North Otago, has reopened following a closure because of flooding.

Both State Highway 87 between Kyeburn and Outram, and State Highway 85, Kyeburn to Palmerston, have reopened after closures due to snow.

Road users are urged to continue travelling with extra care on these reopened roads as winter driving conditions are expected to persist.

1.30pm – SH88 at Port Chalmers reopened

State Highway 88, Station Road to Borlases Road, at Port Chalmers near Dunedin, has reopened after a flooding closure. People should take care on this route.

1.10pm – More highways reopened after snow clearance

Following the reopening of State Highway 8 in the Mackenzie Basin, SH8 between Omarama and Tarras (including Lindis Pass) is also now open.

State Highway 85 has also reopened between Becks and Kyeburn in Otago following an earlier closure.

The following closures remain:

State Highway 83, State Highway 1 to Seven Mile Road, North Otago.
State Highway 1, Oamaru to Glenavy, North Otago.
State Highway 87, Kyeburn to Outram, Otago.
State Highway 85, Kyeburn to Palmerston, Otago.
State Highway 88, Station Road to Borlases Road, Sawyers Bay to Port Chalmers, near Dunedin. A detour is available via Station Road, Stevenson Avenue, and Borlases Road.

12.50pm – SH8 fully reopened in Mackenzie Basin

Fairlie and Lake Pukaki in the Mackenzie Basin is now fully open again after snow has been cleared. People are asked to travel with care on this route.

State Highway 6 on the West Coast is also fully reopened after a closure because of downed powerlines, but care is being urged because of ongoing strong winds.

12.20 pm – Partial reopening for SH8 in Mackenzie Basin

State Highway 8 between Fairlie and Lake Tekapo (including Burkes Pass) in the Mackenzie Basin is now open after snow has been cleared. However, SH8 Lake Tekapo to Lake Pukaki remains closed.

People travelling between Fairlie and Lake Tekapo are urged to travel with extra care.

The closure on State Highway 6 on the West Coast due to downed powerlines is now between Whataroa and Harihari. People are asked to delay their journeys on this route. Extra care is required on SH6 from Whataroa to Haast because of strong winds.

12pm, 6 July 2026 – Snow, flooding update + downed powerlines on West Coast

State Highway 6 is now closed between Whataroa and Ross due to fallen powerlines in strong winds People are asked to avoid the area or delay their journeys. There is also an area warning for SH6 from Haast to Hokitika due to strong winds, and care is urged, especially for high-sided vehicles, towing vehicles and motorcycles.

Other highways remaining closed because of snow or flooding are:

State Highway 83, State Highway 1 to Seven Mile Road, North Otago.
State Highway 1, Oamaru to Glenavy.
State Highway 8, Fairlie to Lake Pukaki, Mackenzie Basin.
State Highway 8, Omarama to Tarras (Lindis Pass), Otago/Canterbury.
State Highway 85, Becks to Kyeburn.
State Highway 87, Kyeburn to Outram, Otago.
State Highway 85, Kyeburn to Palmerston, Otago.
State Highway 88, Station Road to Borlases Road, Sawyers Bay to Port Chalmers, near Dunedin. A detour is available via Station Road, Stevenson Avenue, and Borlases Road.

10am, 6 July 2026 – Downed powerlines close West Coast highway amid strong winds

While snow and flooding continue to impact Otago and South Canterbury, on the West Coast it is strong winds creating challenges for road users.

State Highway 6/Whataroa Highway, between Whataroa and Harihari, is now closed due to fallen powerlines. People are asked to avoid the area or delay their journeys.

There is also an area warning for SH6 from Haast to Hokitika due to strong winds, and care is urged, especially for high-sided vehicles, towing vehicles and motorcycles.

9am, 6 July 2026 – Adjustments to highway closures

Some changes have been made to sections of state highway closed because of snow or flooding:

Due to flooding, State Highway 83 is now closed between State Highway 1 and Seven Mile Road in North Otago.
The State Highway 1 closure north of Oamaru now extends from Oamaru to Glenavy.
The closure of State Highway 85, Alexandra to Kyeburn, Otago, is now closed only between Becks and Kyeburn. Becks to Alexandra is now open.

8.15am, 6 July 2026 – Mosgiel road reopened

State Highway 87, Factory Road to Cargill Street, in Mosgiel has reopened after a closure because of flooding.

Flooding remains an issue in many parts of Otago, with a State of Emergency declared in the Waitaki District, and reports of surface flooding this morning as far north as Ashburton in Mid Canterbury. People are urged to travel with care.

7.30am, 6 July 2026 – Multiple highways closed by snow or flooding

State highways across Otago and South Canterbury are closed this morning due to snow or flooding as the impacts of a severe weather system are still being felt.

Closures due to snow and ice are as follows:

State Highway 8, Fairlie to Lake Pukaki, Mackenzie Basin.
State Highway 8, Omarama to Tarras (Lindis Pass), Otago/Canterbury.
State Highway 87, Kyeburn to Outram, Otago.
State Highway 85, Kyeburn to Palmerston, Otago.
State Highway 85, Alexandra to Kyeburn, Otago.

Lake Tekapo and Mount Cook Village in the Mackenzie Basin recorded about 25cm of snow over the last 12 hours, and more snow showers are possible throughout the day.

Crews will be working to clear snow and reopen highways, but this will depend on conditions today.

Closures due to flooding are as follows:

State Highway 1, Seven Mile Road to State Highway 83, Hilderthorpe (north of Oamaru). A detour is available got northbound traffic by turning left onto SH83, right onto Seven Mile Road, then back onto SH1. The reverse applies for southbound traffic.
State Highway 87, Factory Road to Cargill Street, Mosgiel.
State Highway 88, Station Road to Borlases Road, Sawyers Bay to Port Chalmers, near Dunedin. A detour is available via Station Road, Stevenson Avenue, and Borlases Road.

People are urged to avoid closed sections of highway and to take extra care when travelling today. On other stretches of highway, while not closed, NZTA warnings are in place. Several MetService warnings remain for the South Island.

With snow closures and more snow possible, people are advised to carry warm clothes, water and food in case they get stuck, or need to stop and wait for the weather to pass. Ensuring sufficient battery range or petrol in the tank is also advised in case there are detours and diversions required.

In heavy rain and flooding, NZTA reminds people to think about adjusting their speeds and travelling distances, avoiding sudden braking, and staying visible (using headlights in daytime hours). People are also urged to avoid driving through floodwaters where the depth is unclear and there may be hidden obstructions.

Stay up with the latest status of the highways at NZTA’s Journey Planner site.

9.10pm, 5 July 2026 – Highways remain closed due to weather

Several state highways remain closed tonight because of snow and associated weather conditions affecting the South Island.

They are as follows:

State Highway 8, Fairlie to Lake Pukaki, Mackenzie Basin.
State Highway 8, Omarama to Tarras (Lindis Pass), Otago/Canterbury.
State Highway 87, Kyeburn to Outram, Otago.
State Highway 85, Kyeburn to Palmerston, Otago.
State Highway 85, Alexandra to Kyeburn, Otago.

People are advised to avoid these closed areas of highway and to delay their travel if possible.

In addition, State Highway 88 Sawyers Bay to Port Chalmers, between Station Road and Borlases Road, near Dunedin, remains closed due to flooding. A detour is available via Station Road, Stevenson Avenue, and Borlases Road.

With several MetService warnings for the South Island in place through until tomorrow, people should prepare for highway closures to also continue through until tomorrow. If people are travelling in the current weather conditions, they are urged to take extra care and to drive to the conditions.

Stay up with the latest status of the highways at NZTA’s Journey Planner site.

5.30pm, 5 July 2026 – Snow closures in Otago

Snow has forced the closure of state highways in Otago.

The following are closed:

State Highway 8, Omarama to Tarras (Lindis Pass).
State Highway 87, Kyeburn to Outram.
State Highway 85, Kyeburn to Palmerston.

In addition, State Highway 88 Sawyers Bay to Port Chalmers, between Station Road and Borlases Road, is closed due to flooding.

The closure comes amid warnings of heavy rain and snow for the region.

Stay up with the latest road status at NZTA’s Journey Planner site.

10.30am, 5 July 2026 – Otago/Southland first in the snow sights

Road users in Otago and northern Southland are expected to be the first in line to face weather disruption as MetService warns of significant snowfall in the region today. Snow is already built up at Lindis Pass (see image below).

An orange heavy snow warning is in place from this morning for Otago, excluding coastal areas, and northern Southland, meaning travel disruption and damage to trees and powerlines is possible. MetService says snow will potentially fall to low levels in these regions today, and over a metre is possible above 800m elevation. Up to 30cm of snow is forecast between 400 and 600m, especially south of Queenstown to Middlemarch.

Areas not getting snow may be hit with heavy rain, while on the West Coast, there is a MetService strong wind watch because of southeast winds potentially approaching severe gale in exposed places. Snow is expected to develop in Canterbury from tomorrow and could also be significant in places.

Crews for New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) will be ready to respond to the weather conditions, and state highways may be closed where necessary for safety reasons.

With potential for road snow closures and delays, people are advised to carry warm clothes, water and food in case they get stuck, or need to stop and wait for the weather to pass. Ensuring sufficient battery range or petrol in the tank is also advised in case there are detours and diversions required.

In heavy rain, NZTA reminds people to think about adjusting their speeds and travelling distances, avoiding sudden braking, and staying visible (using headlights in daytime hours). People are also urged to avoid driving through floodwaters where the depth is unclear and there may be hidden obstructions. Those driving high-sided vehicles, towing vehicles or motorcycles should be especially careful in severe gales.

Plan ahead by keeping an eye on MetService weather warnings here, and latest highway conditions and any restrictions at NZTA’s Journey Planner site.

A view below looking south along State Highway 8 towards the Lindis Pass Summit Lookout.

3 July 2026 – It’s snow joke: prepare for plenty of the white stuff on roads

The biggest snowfalls of the winter so far could be looming for alpine passes and inland state highways in Canterbury early next week, as the weather shifts sharply from the recent clear frosty days.

Snow is expected to arrive from Sunday (5 July), and to have its biggest impact Monday/Tuesday, according to forecasts supplied to New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). This may mean state highway closures or restrictions, and those travelling home across the island after the All Blacks-France rugby test in Christchurch on Saturday night, or for school holiday trips, are being urged to plan and prepare.

Up to 20cm is forecast to fall in the Porters Pass (State Highway 73) and Lewis Pass (State Highway 7) areas on Monday, while there is a risk of 10-plus cm in the Burkes Pass to Lake Tekapo area in the Mackenzie Basin on Tuesday.

Ahead of this forecast snow, MetService has rain and wind warnings in place for much of the western side of the South Island (see warnings map below).

Orange heavy rain warnings are in place for Fiordland about and north of Doubtful Sound from 3pm today, for the headwaters of the Otago lakes and rivers from 1am tomorrow, the Ranges of Westland and the headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers south of Arthur's Pass from 3am tomorrow. Orange level heavy rain warnings mean that streams and rivers may rise rapidly, and surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions are possible.

The Canterbury high country is also subject to a MetService orange strong wind warning, from 3am tomorrow, when severe northwest gales may gust up to 130km/h in exposed places.

Those driving high-sided vehicles, towing vehicles or motorcycles should be especially careful in severe gales.

Plan ahead by keeping an eye on MetService weather warnings here, and latest highway conditions and any restrictions at NZTA’s Journey Planner site.