Snowy spring wonderland
Some Southlanders woke to a cold snap yesterday morning, with snow covering the ground in inland Southland.
The snow was a stark contrast to the hot temperatures Southland basked in only a week ago.
Schools in Lumsden, Tapanui, Mossburn and Garston closed for the day as a result of the snowfall.
Lumsden School principal Andrew Watson said he had seen four inches of snow at his home in Dipton, and was concerned about buses being able to reach more remote areas of the province.
‘‘Many of our kids come from outlying areas that saw more snow than that,’’ he said.
The snow would offer the kids opportunities to experience ‘‘plenty of education outside the school experience’’, he said.
‘‘I’ve no doubt they weren’t too disappointed with the day off but I’m not sure the parents would feel the same with the kids at home.’’
Meanwhile, the weather disrupted the start of tramping season.
A section of the Routeburn Track was closed because of heavy snowfall, with 25cm recorded at the Routeburn Falls Hut and 40cm in the Harris Basin.
DOC Wakatipu operations manager Geoff Owen said trampers already on the track could either backtrack to the road end or wait at the huts and campgrounds for the snow to clear.
The Milford Track was open but DOC was monitoring the forecast and conditions closely. Farmers in the region were on the look out for late lambs.
Alistair Campbell, of Earnscleugh Station near Clyde, said snow was down to 500m on the hills and 20mm of rain fell overnight.
‘‘The weather might have affected our tail enders [last lambs to be born].
‘‘But what is more important is that we have had no rain for two and a half months and were looking at our worst spring ever. So the rain is very come,’’ Campbell said.
The next two months are likely to be wel- hot and dry for inland Otago and Southland, the alps and foothills, NIWA said.
There was a 70 per cent chance temperatures would be above average.
Rainfall totals, soil and moisture levels and river flows were likely to be below the normal spring range.
Dome Cafe and Bar assistant manager Emma Beattie said Mossburn was also feeling the effect of the cold snap.
The snow had encouraged people to head outside, with ‘‘the tourists outside the cafe throwing snowballs,’’ she said.
‘‘A few kids have been out making snowmen and things like that.’’
Metservice meteorologist Lisa Murray said there had been 10cm of snow down to 400m.
There was an improving trend today and no further snow was expected over the coming week.
However, the cooler temperatures were set to continue until Monday.
Overnight temperatures were forecast to remain in single digits, and drivers should exercise caution with the possibility of frost and black ice in the early mornings, Murray said.
Parts of State Highway 94 from Te Anau to Milford Sound were closed due to snow yesterday morning. The road was opened again in the afternoon.