Around 50 people were stranded in Arthurs Pass village after heavy snowfall closed State Highway 73 on both sides.
A civil defense volunteer, Chris Stewart, told state media that locals would help the stranded travellers return to their vehicles this morning, with conditions expected to improve for safe travel.
Meanwhile, in Pahiatua, the cleanup continues after heavy rain on Saturday night led to flooding in several streets, affecting about two dozen properties.
Residents are working to recover from the damage, with the local council involved in the efforts.
MetService has issued snow warnings for several other roads across New Zealand, including the Desert Road, Lewis Pass, Lindis Pass, Crown Range Road, and Milford Road, with conditions expected to remain challenging throughout the day.
🐧 Monday’s weather, brought to you by Antarctica…
A lobe of the tropospheric polar vortex will clip the country 🥶
Low-level snow in the lower South Island, gusty winds, low wind chills & hail-laced showers & thunderstorms amid a southerly change are all in the forecast 🫣 pic.twitter.com/ZCpZfrt25y
— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) August 18, 2024
Feels about right 😒