High avalanche risk closes Milford Road

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The Milford Road is expected to remain closed on Monday due to a high risk of avalanche.

State Highway 94 is shut between Hollyford Road Junction and Donne River.

Natural avalanches are crossing the road, the Milford Road Alliance advised this morning.

Assessment and avalanche mitigation works will be carried out when conditions allow to reduce hazard, potentially on Tuesday, it said.

Volatile weather over the next few days could bring further disruptions, increased avalanche hazard and road closures.

A road snowfall warning is in place for SH94 from 4am until 9pm on Tuesday.

MetService said snow showers are expected to affect the road on Tuesday, where 2cm to 4cm may accumulate above 800 metres with lesser amounts down to 600m.

Road snowfall warnings have also been issued for the Crown Range Road, linking Queenstown and Wanaka and the Lindis Pass (SH8) on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, a strong wind watch is in place for Fiordland and inland parts of Southland and Otago from 10pm today until 6am tomorrow. Northwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.

Forecast for Homer Tunnel area

Today: Cloudy, with a few showers turning to rain this afternoon.

Tuesday: Rain and snow to 700m, clearing in the afternoon.

Wednesday: Showers and possible snow.

Thursday: Heavy rain turning to snow.

Friday: Snow showers clearing.

- This story was originally published by the Otago Daily Times.