❄️Weather updates❄️
Snow is falling in the lower South Island early Friday, with MetService warning it could be heavy in the southern Canterbury High Country and inland Otago, and also possibly northern Southland.
What's been happening:
- About 6.45am, Queenstown Lakes District Council said the Crown Range Road was closed by snow.
- Aurora Energy said power was out to about 3500 customers in Central Otago early Friday.
- State Highway 85 was closed between Omakau and Palmerston on Friday morning.
- State Highway 6 was closed by snow between Haast and Makarora on Friday morning. No detour was available and road users were advised to avoid the area.
- Remarkables has received 51cm of fresh snow in the last 48 hours.
- Coronet Peak had 30cm of fresh snow at the base and 80cm at the top of the mountain in the last 24 hours.
- Cardrona ski area is open with 29cm of new snow, and Treble Cone is open with about 48cm of new snow. Chains are required on all vehicles at both fields.
- In Canterbury, Mt Hutt has about 1-2cm of new snow and is expecting more today, while Ohau is expecting 20cm-30cm during the day.
- The road to Milford Sound remains closed on Friday morning after being closed all day on Thursday because of the weather.
- Queenstown Primary School and Dunstan High School are both closed due to weather.
What's in store:
- Snow was possible to 300 metres in Otago and Southland on Friday morning, and to 500m in southern Canterbury, MetService said.
- MetService has issued a heavy snow warning for the Canterbury High Country south of the Rakaia River through to 3pm Friday.
- There's also a heavy snow warning for inland Otago until noon.
- A heavy rain watch is in place for Westland south of Haast through to 7pm.
- Snow is also expected to fall on some other high routes in the South Island.
- "Please drive with caution as there are snow plough trucks operating along the highway from Te Anau to Milford Sound." NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi says avalanche hazard assessments are underway and it is likely that the road will reopen about 11am Friday, after road snow clearing.
- MetService is warning snow could affect Arthur’s Pass, Porters Pass, Lindis Pass and the Crown Range Road at times during Friday.
- Orbus bus depo in Queenstown was snowed in but buses are now underway with delays
❄️You can read more on Stuff, but feel free to share any further updates or photos of snow below!❄️
Poll: Should we be giving the green light to new mining projects? 💰🌲
The Environmental Protection Authority announced this week that a proposed mine in Central Otago (near Cromwell) is about to enter its fast-track assessment process. A final decision could come within six months, and if it’s approved, construction might start as early as mid-2026.
We want to know: Should mining projects like this move ahead?
Keen to dig deeper? Mike White has the scoop.
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53.1% Yes
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46.9% No
‘Tis the season to not get scammed ...
As Christmas gift shopping moves increasingly online, scammers are ramping up their activity across the country.
Dunedin’s Investigation Support Unit is seeing more and more people fall victim to scams and other fraudulent activity, particularly on Facebook Marketplace.
There are a few ways to avoid the scams and keep yourself safe doing online trades this holiday season, says Southern District Service Delivery Manager Senior Sergeant Dalton.
🔒 “A good first step when looking to purchase something on Marketplace is to check when the seller’s Facebook profile was created. If it’s very recent, there is a higher risk that they have just created this account for a one-off fake item.”
🔒 Another important step is to make sure the seller’s profile name and bank account name match up. “We’re seeing a lot of scammers claiming their bank account name is different because it belongs to their partner or family member - that’s a huge red flag."
🔒 “When you’re selling, never trust a screenshot anyone sends you showing that payment has been made. Check your own bank account to make sure a payment has gone through."
🔒 “Quite frankly, it’s best for all parties to agree to pay, or be paid, for items in cash and in-person. Ideally in a public place with CCTV coverage."
🔒 "If you’re buying a car, check Carjam.co.nz to see if it’s stolen or if there’s money owed on it.”
A reminder: Suspicious activity can be reported on 105
🚒 Our Fire and Emergency crews have been kept busy lately
And they’re once again reminding everyone: please don’t light fires when it’s windy.
Central Otago will move into a restricted fire season from 1 December 2025, which means anyone planning an outdoor fire will need to apply for a permit and plan ahead.
So we’d love to ask you — how do you make sure you’re being fire-safe at this time of year?
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