Cold and slushy conditions are being seen in the Western Bay of Plenty, with snow falling at TECT All Terrain Park in the last hour.

“Wear appropriate clothing and use these simple words of advice that I have always lived by "Be Prepared" taken from the Scout motto of course,” says a post on the TECT All Terrain Park Facebook page.



Snow falling at the TECT All Terrain Park. Photos: TECT All Terrain Park Facebook.

Park ranger Jarron McInnes says it has been snowing steadily for about an hour, but it is not settling.

Western Bay of Plenty road police senior sergeant Ian Campion says a patrol over State Highway 36, between Rotorua and Tauranga, this morning found conditions cold and slushy and warns drivers to take care.

Patrols are also checking driving conditions on the Kaimai road and the variable speed signs are activated.

SH5 is closed due to snow and the NZTA is predicting more road closures before the end of the day.

Snow is also reported in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, with snow on Mt Tarawera and Rainbow Mountain.

The white stuff is also falling at Matawai, between Opotiki and Gisborne.

The MetService is forecasting snow showers to ease around midday today, with another 1 to 2cm possible between 10am and midday today.

Further snow showers are expected Wednesday evening through to Thursday evening, and another 5 to 15cm could accumulate on the road.