Weather live: Highways closed as rain and snow trigger warnings

Severe weather conditions have forced the closure of some highways in the South Island after more than 20cm of snow fell in some places, with motorists urged to reconsider travel.State Highway 73 is closed between Springfield and Otira because of snow, with rockfalls also reported in the area.Roading crews are assessing the conditions and trying to clear the road.Follow updates in our live blog below:SH94 from Te Anau to Milford Sound remains closed due to the avalanche risk from the Lower Hollyford Road intersection to Donne River.On the West Coast, warnings for surface flooding have been issued for SH6 between Haast and Fox Glacier, and Lake Wahapo to Harihari.Looking east along State Highway 8 towards Burkes Pass township in the Mackenzie Basin.NZTA Waka KotahiNZTA said about 15 to 25cm of snow has fallen from Porters Pass through to Craigieburn Cutting on the highway.A further update on reopening is expected about midday.Contractors are on site clearing a slip on the road between Blackball and Atarau.Grey District CouncilGrey District Council said contractors were clearing a slip on the road between Blackball and Atarau and the road was closed.Motorists also needed to take extreme care due to flooding on Blackball hill and between Blair Road and Stillwater.State Highway 73 where about more than 20cm of snow has fallen in places.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.Looking south along State Highway 8 towards the Lindis Pass summit lookout, Central OtagoNZTA Waka KotahiMetService 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."State Highway 73 where about more than 20cm of snow has fallen in places.NZTA / Waka KotahiDrivers are reminded to slow down, increase following distance, exercise patience and never drive impaired or distracted.More rain forecastMore rain is expected to fall on already sodden ground as a complex low continues to slowly move over the South Island.MetService has issued a new orange heavy rain warning for the ranges in the Grey and Buller Districts for up to 90 millimetres of rain.The warning would cover from midnight on Thursday until noon on Friday.Westland and the headwaters of lakes and rivers in Otago and Canterbury remain under heavy rain warnings, lasting until 2am on Friday for Otago headwaters and noon on Friday for Westland and the Canterbury headwaters.A further 140 to 180mm of rain was predicted to hit the Westland ranges with peak rates of 20 to 30mm.MetService warned streams and rivers might rise rapidly with possible surface flooding, slips and difficult driving conditions.Heavy snow was expected above 800 metres in the Canterbury High Country and parts of inland Otago with lesser amounts possibly falling as low as 400m.In the North Island, a strong wind watch has been issued for Wellington, Wairarapa south of Masterton and the Marlborough Sounds from 6am on Friday.