Photo: MetService screenshot
Snow is falling in inland parts of the South Island with restrictions in place for motorists.
Crown Range looking good enough to eat after a fresh dusting of snow overnight (just don't eat the yellow snow...)
— MetService (@MetService) September 25, 2025
Road Snowfall Warnings are still in place for Arthur's Pass (SH73) and Lewis Pass (SH7) until 10am this morning - keep up with any updates from @nztacwc pic.twitter.com/TcXigkD9il
Motorists travelling on State Highway 73's Arthur's Pass are being asked to use chains.
Towing restrictions are also in place between Otira and Arthur's Pass.
Snow is also affecting the Lewis and Haast passes as well as Milford Road on Friday morning.
In Otago, State Highway 94 Te Anau to Milford is closed between between East Gate and Hollyford to Donne River (Westgate) due to snow and an avalanche hazard.
Road warnings along the Lindis Pass and Crown Range Road were lifted on Friday morning.
Alongside the snow warnings, MetService has issued a strong wind watch for severe northwest gales for southern and central parts of the country.
The watches are in place for Wellington, Wairarapa, Canterbury High Country and the foothills of the Canterbury Plains, as well as Fiordland, Southland, Stewart Island and inland Otago.
The strong wind watch has been lifted for Buller and Grey Districts, and Westland District north of the Glaciers.
Road snowfall warnings in parts of the South Island. Photo: Screenshot/RNZ
While a bonus for skiers and snowboarders in the South Island, the latest round of weather warnings offers little respite for parents as the first week of school holidays come to a close.
But there is a "glimmer of hope" once this front passes according to the MetService.
"The first week of the spring school holidays comes to an end and showers continue as fast-moving fronts pass over on Friday," MetService meteorologist Michael Pawley said in a statement on Thursday.
Another "burst of rain" over the South Island was expected on Sunday as the clocks go forward for daylight saving - but kids in Canterbury and Hawke's Bay might want to save their games with the sun getting ready to make an appearance.
"Sunday looks to be a great set up for warmer temperatures in eastern regions thanks to the Foehn effect," Pawley said. "This happens when rain falls on the West Coast and Southern Alps, it releases heat, the warm dry air then descends on the Canterbury Plains."
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