Weather: Highways closed as rain and snow trigger warnings

Severe weather conditions have forced the closure of some highways in the South Island, with motorists urged to reconsider travel.State Highway 73 was closed between Springfield and Otira because of snow, with rockfalls also reported in the area.SH94 from Te Anau to Milford Sound remained closed because of the avalanche risk.Area warnings were in place for flooding on State Highway 6 from Makarora to Fox Glacier and from Lake Wahapo to Harihari on the West Coast.Looking east along State Highway 8 towards Burkes Pass township in the Mackenzie Basin.NZTA Waka KotahiMetService issued road snowfall warnings for the Crown Range Road, Milford Road and the Lewis, Lindis, Arthur's and Porters Passes."The winter storm slowly weakens as it moves onto central New Zealand, followed by showery westerlies across the South Island," MetService said in its severe weather outlook.Heavy rain warnings were in place for Westland and the Canterbury lakes and rivers about and south of Arthur's Pass, while a heavy snowfall warning was issued for Canterbury High Country south of the Rangitata River, and Otago north of Arrowtown to Ranfurly.MetService said the snow could cause damage to trees and powerlines, stress livestock and disrupt travel."If you do have to travel, maybe consider having a go bag in your car, just in case you get trapped," MetService meteorologist Braydon White told RNZ on Wednesday.Police are urging caution to motorists, saying while there have been no serious crashes reported, there is heavy rainfall across the area."We want to remind the public to drive to the conditions."Drivers are reminded to slow down, increase following distance, exercise patience and never drive impaired or distracted.River flows in Canterbury were expected to remain high through to Friday.