Snow closes Desert Road as cold southerly brings frosty start to week

Home / New ZealandUpdatedHerald ReportersNZ Herald·16 Aug, 2026 06:12 PM3 mins to read‌A bitterly cold air mass driving up from the south will deliver a frigid and frosty start to the working week. Video / MetServiceSnow has closed the North Island’s Desert Rd as a bitterly cold air mass drives up from the south. The closure of State Highway 1 from Rangipo to Waiouru - in place since 9pm - has added a detour of at least 40 minutes to the journey, according to the AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.