Snow and ice bring disruption
OVERNIGHT snow and ice caused disruption for motorists throughout Wakatipu, Central Otago and Clutha yesterday, but gave hundreds of Queenstown children a day off school.
In Wakatipu, slippery conditions and continuing light snow were responsible for a slew of minor crashes and forced some motorists to abandon their cars after getting stuck.
The closure of Wakatipu High School, Queenstown Primary and Shotover Primary for the day took the pressure off arterial routes, and the number of parents playing with their children in suburban parks indicated many workers heeded a Queenstown Lakes District Council advisory to avoid travelling if possible.
But dozens of motorists who did venture on to the roads got into trouble. The McEntyre’s Hill stretch of the Arrowtown-Lake Hayes Rd was a problem area all morning and at least three drivers abandoned their vehicles after getting stuck.
A wideload truck carrying a log loader became stuck on an incline on State Highway 6 near Lake Hayes, delaying traffic for about 90 minutes until it was towed up the hill by a grader.
The Crown Range Rd was closed from Tuesday evening until about 11am yesterday, when it was reopened to vehicles fitted with chains.
Minor crashes occurred in Stalker Rd, Dart Pl and Ballarat and Weaver Sts, but there were no reports of serious injuries.
Some Wakatipu bus routes were affected. One flight was
cancelled and others delayed at Queenstown Airport.
Clutha residents awoke to snowcapped hills and up to 15cm of mixed snow and hail across the district’s elevated areas yesterday morning.
Sleety snow fell down to sea level, but did not settle in significant amounts.
Temperatures sat around the 2degC5degC range throughout the day, and sporadic rain and sleet showers borne by strong southwesterlies continued throughout South Otago.
Council contractors were called upon to clear several rural roads during the day. Roads to the south and west of the district were worst affected.
By 2.30pm all state highways in Otago had reopened.
Meteorologist Kyle Lee said another front was expected to pass over the South Island last night, and snow down to 600m was forecast in most areas.