State highways reopen after snow closures, skifields start to open
Two sections of State Highway in the Mackenzie Country that were closed overnight - because of risk from snow and ice - have now reopened.
State Highway 8 between Twizel and Fairlie and State Highway 80 between Lake Pukaki and Aoraki/Mt Cook were closed on Saturday night as a safety precaution to both motorists and crews working on the roads.
The New Zealand Transport Agency said the crews had been busy gritting and treating areas of ice on the roads.
The road closures were lifted around 10am on Sunday.
However, motorists are still advised to take care when travelling.
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A road snowfall warning is still in place for Porters Pass (State Highway 73) and the Crown Range Road until Monday morning.
A cold start on Sunday
MetService said the warmer than average weather over summer and the start of autumn have made Sunday morning's chilly blast all the more noticeable.
Some of the country woke up to the coldest morning of the year, with sub-zero temperatures across the South Island as well as in Hamilton and parts of Wellington.
Meteorologist Devlin Lynden said the Mackenzie Basin dipped to a low of -8 degrees while the capital's weather station in Porirua was less than -1 degrees.
He said it will stay cold over the next couple of days but temperatures are expected to lift in the mid-week, accompanied by some rain and cloud.
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Manganui Skifield on Sunday morning. (Source: Supplied)
Skifields begin to open across the country
Manganui Ski Area has taken out the title of first skifield in the country to open for the season.
Overnight Friday, the skifield got around 50cm on the Plateau, and on Saturday morning opened it's T bar and learner tow ropes, posting online: 'First in the country again'.
"Come on up for a play in the snow", it said.
This morning, the skifield run by Stratford Mountain Club reported it was a cold 2C on the skifield and that its road was open but to expect icy conditions on the drive up.
A few hundred people were at the skifield, with lots of visitors just coming up for the day,
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The Hanmer Spring Ski Area was hot on its heels, opening this morning, the first in the South Island.
"A chilly minus 5, scatter cloud and no wind," it said on Facebook.
"There has been no grooming and the road is only open to 4WD's with chains."
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