Snow to fall on Rimutaka Hill as slips come down…

Snow to fall on Rimutaka Hill as slips come down across capital

Snow is expected to affect two key North Island roads today as a polar blast heads up the country.

A home was evacuated in Wellington's Aro Valley overnight after a slip and roads are blocked by debris.

And five trucks and cars have slid off a road north of Invercargill as ice creates havoc.

A slip in Evans Bay. Photo / Georgina Campbell

South Island weather is set to improve ahead of the weekend, but the north is bearing the brunt of heavy rain and snow set to lash southern and eastern districts.

A stormy day is in store for Wellington, Wairarapa, Hawke's Bay and Gisborne, which will be pounded by southerly gales and rain throughout the morning.

MetService says snow showers are due to fall on the Rimutaka Hill Rd from the middle of the afternoon through to early tomorrow morning. Up to 4cm is expected.

And up to 6cm of snow is expected on the Desert Rd today and more is possible tomorrow.

— Severe Weather Info (@MetServiceWARN) July 27, 2017

Devon St in Aro Valley remains closed after a slip that forced residents of their home last night.

The house is uncomfortably close to the slip. Photo / Georgina Campbell

A contractor guarding the road this morning at the intersection of Landcross St and Fairlie Tce said he was called to the slip about 8.30 last night.

He said he expected engineers and heavy machinery would move in soon to assess the damage.

The evacuated home can be seen uncomfortably close to where the slip has fallen away, above a scrambled mess of trees, rocks and dirt on the road.

Wellington City Council said a second sizeable slip also came down across Evans Bay Parade near Pt Jerningham, blocking a lane heading into the city.

Commuters were warned there would be delays while the dirt and rocks was cleared.

Some ferry sailings across Wellington harbour have started to be cancelled due to the blustery conditions.

— Metlink Wellington (@metlinkwgtn) July 27, 2017

This morning inland areas of the South Island remain under a fresh blanket of snow, which led to motorists abandoning vehicles on highways and cutting off at least one settlement.

A house had to be evacuated after a slip came down on Devon St, Wellington, overnight. Photo / Georgina Campbell

The rain has now eased in North Otago, which is still recovering from last week's floods but snow flurries are forecast to fall on Dunedin foothills today.

No roads are closed but transport authorities are warning motorists to be wary of black ice on the region's roads this morning.

And five trucks and cars hit ice and slid off North Rd at Lorneville, Invercargill, about 6.50am.

Police said no one was injured but the crashes showed how treacherous road conditions were in southern regions and asked drivers to take extra care.

Flooding is also affecting SH1 at Dunsandel south of Christchurch.