South Island roads reopen after spring snow and flooding

Major roads in New Zealand’s South Island have begun reopening following a spring snow dump and flooding. The New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi reported that State Highway 87 between Middlemarch and Outram in Otago, and State Highway 96 at Oreti Plains in Southland, have reopened after being closed due to snow and flooding.

MetService meteorologists noted that a cold front has brought significant snow to higher elevations, including approximately 5cm of settled snow at Mount Cook and snow reaching low elevations near Queenstown. While some road snowfall warnings for Lindis Pass and Haast Pass have been lifted, warnings remain for alpine passes in Canterbury.

Authorities continue to advise travelers to exercise extra caution on inland roads where snow and flooding conditions persist. The cold weather front is expected to continue moving through the region and eventually head toward the North Island.