Snow closes Dunedin schools and state highways, sleet falls in Wellington

<p>Snow falling to low levels across parts of the eastern South Island has shut schools, closed several sections of state highway and caused multiple crashes in Dunedin this morning, with police urging residents to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary.</p> <p>The icy conditions also have made their way to Wellington this afternoon, with multiple users on social media reporting snow had appeared to fall in parts of the capital, including the CBD and surrounding suburbs.</p> <p><a href="https://www.tvnz.co.nz/player/newsclip/watch-snow-falls-in-wellington-for-the-first-time-in-over-a-decade" target="_blank"><b>Watch: Snow falls in Wellington for the first time in over a decade - Watch on TVNZ+</b></a></p> <p>MetService later confirmed to 1News what was falling from the sky in Wellington was a mix of sleet and snow.</p> <p>Several vehicles slid off the road in Dunedin as snowfall and icy conditions make driving difficult, though no injuries have been reported.</p> <p><b>Do you have photos or videos of the weather? Email us at news@tvnz.co.nz</b></p> <p>"We are asking that everyone avoid travelling, even in areas that aren't experiencing snow fall," a police spokesperson said.<a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/08/04/dan-corbett-the-cold-in-this-snap-is-just-getting-started/" target="_blank"><b></b></a></p> <p>"If you are on the road, please drive to the conditions – slow down, keep a safe following distance, exercise patience, and expect delays."</p> <p><b></b><a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/08/04/dan-corbett-the-cold-in-this-snap-is-just-getting-started/" target="_blank"><b></b></a>All Otago Regional Council bus services have been cancelled in Dunedin.</p> <p>In Otago, State Highway 1 has been reopened as of 12pm after earlier being closed from Pine Hill to Waitati. State Highway 87 from Outram to Middlemarch also reopened this afternoon.</p> <p>In an update at 5pm, NZTA urged road users to prepare for "days of freezing temperatures and ice on the roads".</p> <p><b></b><a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/08/04/dan-corbett-the-cold-in-this-snap-is-just-getting-started/" target="_blank"><b>