8 Jul 2011

Snow warning for alpine passes

11:06 pm on 8 July 2011

MetService is warning of more snow on South Island mountain passes overnight on Friday and during Saturday.

On Arthur's Pass, between 30-50 centimetres of snow could accumulate through to midnight on Saturday.

The Lindis Pass is expected to have 20 to 40 centimetres of snow, with five to 10 centimetres on Porters Pass.

There could be 60 to 80 centimetres of snow on the Milford Road.

The Transport Agency says State Highway 94 between Milford Sound and the lower Hollyford turnoff, and Haast Pass on State Highway 6 is closed to all traffic.

Arthur's Pass on State Highway 73 is closed to trucks, while other vehicles must be fitted with chains.

MetService says snow is expected on the Desert Road in the central North Island.