Snow near Milford Sound closed the road overnight, but it reopened before 9am on Thursday. (File photo)Heavy rain is expected in the south and a major tourist route was closed overnight due to forecast snow. This would bring heavy rain to the West Coast, with the heaviest falls expected in Westland, south of Otiria from Thursday afternoon to Friday morning. READ MORE:* Wild Weather preparation: How secure your home for the storms ahead* Wild weather brings down trees, causes car crashes near NelsonA NZ Transport Agency statement said the closure was precautionary. The road closed on Wednesday about 5pm due to forecast overnight snow and reopened about 8.30am on Thursday after a check at first light.

Source: Stuff July 17, 2019 19:07 UTC