Post by Bishopdale Weather on Jun 8, 2012 8:50:08 GMT 12
NZ NewswireJune 8, 2012, 5:05
Canterbury motorists are being warned to watch out for ice or black ice on the roads on Friday morning after heavy snowfall battered the region.
The snowfall also affected other areas of the South Island, causing power outages, road closures and minor accidents and injuries.
St John Ambulance, New Zealand Transport Agency and Police have all issued warnings to motorists heading to work on Friday morning.
After the heavy snowfall on Wednesday the sun came out on Thursday melting some of the snow and with below freezing temperatures overnight this may turn to ice by Friday morning, a statement from St John Ambulance said.
Christchurch Police Senior Sergeant Steve King warned drivers that difficult conditions aren't over yet and urged motorists to allow for extra travel time.
"There is still ice on many roads and if melting snow refreezes then drivers may face similar hazards overnight and in the morning.
"Rural locations and shaded areas are particularly at risk."
SH7 through Lewis Pass from Hanmer Springs to Springs Junction and SH73 from Springfield through Arthurs Pass remain closed.
At least 300 customers of power company Orion, which covers central Canterbury, remained without power overnight on Thursday.
On Thursday police attended 14 minor crashes throughout Canterbury and St John Ambulance staff attended to 24 people who had injured themselves falling over on ice or snow.
nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/13899940/drivers-warned-to-watch-out-for-black-ice/
Canterbury motorists are being warned to watch out for ice or black ice on the roads on Friday morning after heavy snowfall battered the region.
The snowfall also affected other areas of the South Island, causing power outages, road closures and minor accidents and injuries.
St John Ambulance, New Zealand Transport Agency and Police have all issued warnings to motorists heading to work on Friday morning.
After the heavy snowfall on Wednesday the sun came out on Thursday melting some of the snow and with below freezing temperatures overnight this may turn to ice by Friday morning, a statement from St John Ambulance said.
Christchurch Police Senior Sergeant Steve King warned drivers that difficult conditions aren't over yet and urged motorists to allow for extra travel time.
"There is still ice on many roads and if melting snow refreezes then drivers may face similar hazards overnight and in the morning.
"Rural locations and shaded areas are particularly at risk."
SH7 through Lewis Pass from Hanmer Springs to Springs Junction and SH73 from Springfield through Arthurs Pass remain closed.
At least 300 customers of power company Orion, which covers central Canterbury, remained without power overnight on Thursday.
On Thursday police attended 14 minor crashes throughout Canterbury and St John Ambulance staff attended to 24 people who had injured themselves falling over on ice or snow.
nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/13899940/drivers-warned-to-watch-out-for-black-ice/