Snowy blast hits drivers

A wintery blast made its presence felt throughout the country yesterday – but some respite from the cold, wet and windy conditions is on its way.

Up to 50 cars were stuck in snow after an unexpected dumping around Mt Cook yesterday.

Elsewhere in the country, gales and heavy rain lashed both islands, according to the MetService.

Meteorologist Josh Griffin said rain would ease in most places over the next couple of days.

Tomorrow would see scattered showers for much of the country with Tuesday bringing some fine periods in the North Island.

Yesterday much of the North Island was hit by strong winds and rain, while fell in the South Island.

A New Zealand Transport Agency spokeswoman said about 50 cars were trapped on State Highway 8 between Twizel and Fairlie and on SH80 between Aoraki Mt Cook and Ben Ohau.

The cars were trapped from midday for 2-3 hours after an unexpected dumping of about 15cm of snow in the region, she said.

Thirty vehicles were towed out by transport contractors. The remaining 20 made their own way out. Griffin said temperatures had been hovering around zero degrees yesterday at the forecaster’s nearest station at Mt Cook Airport.

He said there had been heavy rain in many parts of the country yesterday with Nelson receiving a 100mm soaking over 12 hours.

However, as river levels were not too full there had been no reports of major flooding, other than isolated accumulation around the ranges.

“But we’re definitely at warning levels,” Griffin said.