Snow warnings are in place, a section of State Highway 94 has been closed and households across central Otago remain without power as wild weather continues to batter the South Island this morning.
Fox Peak Ski Area near Fairlie was looking at a season without much snow, until last night.
Around 500 households also remain without power across central Otago, including all of Glenorchy, Lower Shotover, Speargrass Flat, Arthurs Point, Alexandra, Tarras, Dalefield and Frankton.
Aurora is working to have power restored to the affected homes as soon as possible but it will take time to due to damaged power lines.
Usually snow is a good thing for a ski field, but it couldn’t clear the roads fast enough to open this morning.
Meanwhile, SH94 from Te Anau to Milford Sound has been closed this morning due to a high avalanche risk.
A heavy snow warning is in place on the Lindis Pass (SH8 Tarras to Omarama).
A snow warning remains in place for Crown Range Road, where up to an extra 3 centimetres of snow was expected overnight.
The Ministry of Education said they are unaware of any early childhood centres or school closures today.
View readers' photos from this week's big white out:
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