Many parts of the South Island woke to snow on Wednesday morning as a cold snap made its way up the country - and motorists have now been warned of black ice on Thursday.
The weather forced the closure of schools and roads in Central Otago and Southland, and also caused the delay and cancellation of several flights in and out of Queenstown.
McIntyres Hill between Arrowtown and Lake Hayes was littered with abandoned cars before 10am.
Queenstown resident Travis Carrington says he's been watching drivers struggle to make it up Mulligans Rd - and some weren't driving to conditions.
"I've seen some clowns too doing 60km up and down that road like it's dry."
Wet and icy conditions are expected in many areas of the southern South Island on Thursday morning, and the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) says drivers need to be prepared for the possibility of black ice at daybreak.
"Black ice is largely invisible on the road surface and is commonest in shady areas and on bridges early morning and late at night," says Transport Agency Senior Journey Manager Neil Walker.
"Because some road areas will have very cold temperatures, it will not take much clear sky for ice to form before dawn Thursday morning.
"We are hopeful that there will be some wind and cloud overnight, which will reduce ice forming, but in inland places, people need to drive cautiously and be prepared for black ice."
Arrowtown looked perfect under a blanket of snow, but it meant a day at home for all the region's school children, who found ways to fill in their day.
There wasn't quite so much fun further north - Lindis Pass on State Highway 8 was shut overnight, disrupting travel plans for many.
When the road finally did reopened just after 10am, a queue of traffic was ready and waiting.
In Dunedin the Hill suburbs woke to a blanket of snow and it was slow going on the northern motorway for early commuters.
North Canterbury escaped the worst of the weather, with just a light dusting of snow on the hills - but more flurries are expected on Wednesday night and forecasters are predicting another front to move up the country on Sunday.
Newshub.
