Wintry blast closes Lindis Pass - State Highway 8

A snowy, wintry blast has closed State Highway 8 at the Lindis Pass, from the western settlement of Forest Range through to the Omarama side of the Pass.

The road remains closed while Roading contractors utilise snow ploughs to clear the snow, and it is not yet known when the road will be open again.

A large backlog of traffic is affected by the road closure and police urge motorists to consider delaying travel plans to or over the Lindis Pass because further delays can be expected this afternoon.

Police urge motorists to exercise extreme caution when driving in wet, icy or snowy conditions in and around the South Island, including the Milford Road (Southland) which is also affected by snow.