Lewis Pass reopens after heavy snow closes South Island highways
Friday 30 October 2026 · 4 outlets · 4 reports · updated In this story MetService, NZ Transport Agency
State Highway 7 at Lewis Pass has reopened following heavy snowfall on Friday. Earlier, snow had closed both Lewis Pass and Arthur’s Pass, with warnings issued for other alpine routes including the Crown Range Road and Milford Road. Police have advised motorists to drive according to current conditions as more snow is forecast.
Key facts
4 facts
- State Highway 73 closed between Arthur's Pass Village and Otira due to snow
- State Highway 7 closed between Hanmer Springs turnoff and Springs Junction
- A small tornado and 30mm hail occurred near Rakaia and Methven on Thursday
- Gore was forecast to reach a high of 9C on Friday
The full story
1 min read · 4 outlets
State Highway 73 between Arthur’s Pass Village and Otira closed on Friday morning due to snow. State Highway 7 also closed just after 8.30am between the Hanmer Springs turnoff and Springs Junction, including the Lewis Pass. The Lewis Pass reopened late on Friday morning after a closure of approximately 15 minutes caused by the threat of snow and black ice.
MetService issued road snowfall warnings for several alpine routes, including Arthur’s Pass, Lewis Pass, Crown Range Road, and Milford Road. The Lindis Pass warning lifted at 11am on Friday. Snow showers were forecast for the higher parts of the Desert Road in the central North Island early Saturday morning.
A cold front has brought temperatures in the South Island significantly below average. Gore was forecast to reach a high of 9C, which is 6C below the seasonal average. Christchurch was expected to reach a high of 17C on Friday, dropping to 1C overnight.
Severe weather in Canterbury on Thursday included a small tornado near Rakaia and Methven, approximately 800 lightning strikes, and hail up to 30mm in diameter. Strong wind warnings were issued for the Tasman District northwest of Motueka until 9pm Friday.
How it developed
- Fri 30 Oct, 11:45amThe Lewis Pass reopened late Friday morning after a 15-minute closure due to black ice and snow risks.
Where reports differ
- Reports vary on the temperature drop in Christchurch, with one stating it would be 5C below average and another noting a high of 17C and a low of 1C
Compiled from reports by 1News, The Press, NZ Herald and Otago Daily Times.
