Winter Blast Eases for Tasman, But Extreme Caution Urged on Alpine Passes This Weekend

Pigeon Post News, Richmond, Tasman, NZ

Caution Urged on Alpine Passes This Weekend

A settled, fine weekend is on the horizon for the Tasman District as a disruptive winter weather system begins to clear. However, motorists planning to travel between the islands or through the upper South Island must prepare for severe alpine driving conditions. Heavy overnight frosts, lingering road grit, and black ice mean our mountain passes will require maximum vigilance.

Richmond & Tasman Weather: A Welcome, Sunny Respite

Following a week of intense southerlies and volatile winter showers, MetService New Zealand confirms that high pressure is moving in to bring a clear, mostly sunny weekend across Richmond and the broader Tasman area.

• Saturday, 27 June: Any early residual showers will quickly clear in the morning to make way for a beautiful, fine day. Winds will remain light with a pleasant afternoon high of 16°C, though overnight temperatures will quickly plummet to a chilly 6°C.
• Sunday, 28 June: The clear skies continue with a crisp, fully fine day ahead. Southerly breezes are forecast to die out completely by morning. Expect a daytime high of 14°C and a frosty overnight low dropping to just 4°C.

Driving SH60 Richmond to Tākaka 

State Highway 60 between Richmond and Tākaka is currently open, but drivers must exercise high caution over the Tākaka Hill summit due to ice, heavy winter frosts, and historical slip vulnerabilities.

Route Overview & Current Conditions SH60

• Richmond to Riwaka: Traffic is flowing smoothly. Watch for typical winter dampness and surface moisture in shaded spots around Motueka. 
• Tākaka Hill Summit (SH60): Fully open 24/7, but standard alpine winter hazards apply. Due to the recent cold snap, the summit is prone to black ice and heavy frosts, particularly on the southern (Riwaka) face and heavily shaded corners. 
• Slump Sites & Maintenance: The route remains structurally vulnerable at historical slip points like Drummond’s Corner. Be prepared for localised temporary speed limits or sections with a narrower road width.

Weekend Weather for the Drive SH60

The weather over the hill will clear up beautifully, but temperatures will be very low:

• Saturday: Residual morning dampness will clear rapidly into a fine, crisp afternoon. Light winds mean excellent visibility.
• Sunday: Clear, fine, and sunny. However, an overnight drop to near-freezing will mean severe morning frost and refreezing moisture on the road surface.

Alpine Passes: High-Country Hazards and Road Status

While coastal regions enjoy the sunshine, the upper South Island alpine corridors are still recovering from major snowfall. While key routes have successfully reopened after closures earlier today, extreme care is paramount.

Arthur's Pass (SH73)

Mountain pass

West Coast Region

OPEN WITH CAUTION. The highway between Springfield and Arthur's Pass Village was entirely blocked on Friday morning due to heavy snow, ice, and multiple stranded vehicles. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) contractors have cleared the road, but freezing high-country temperatures mean that melting snow will refreeze into treacherous black ice overnight.

Lewis Pass (SH7)

Mountain pass

Lewis Pass

OPEN. This northern pass received up to 5cm of snow over the summit, with areas further east recording up to 10cm. While the weather is clearing, heavy shading means ice and grit remain a hazard across the highway.

Rahu Saddle (SH7)

Mountain pass

Rahu Saddle

OPEN. No active closures are in place, but winter driving area warnings span the entire spine of the Alps.

Pigeon Post Essential Travel Tips

If you must head out across the passes this weekend, NZTA officials advise packing a winter safety kit containing warm layers, food, and fresh water. Always ensure your vehicle has a healthy amount of fuel or battery range in the event of unexpected travel diversions.

Before you turn the key, make sure to double-check the live, up-to-the-minute highway statuses via the interactive NZTA Journey Planner.

Stay warm, drive to the winter conditions, and enjoy the beautiful crisp sunshine in our backyard this weekend!

Pigeon Post News, Richmond - 26 June 2026