An El Nino weather pattern which is being blamed for chaotic weather in the North Island has had the opposite effect in Fiordland, producing long periods of calm, clear and frosty days. Just 31 mm of rain was recorded on the Milford road last month, with only 60 cm of snow on the mountains above the road. It is eight years since the Milford road had an incident-free winter. That was followed in 1991 and 1994 with the worst snowfalls recorded, Mr. Carran said. The Milford road is one place that should not be taken for granted.
Lives are sometimes at risk.
Last year a matter of just 20 seconds saved one man's life during an avalanche at the Homer tunnel. The team of 13 workers, including an avalanche technician, is based in Fiordland at Te Anau and Knobs Flat and are busy with development work and on-field training. The helicopter, snow ploughs, graders, chains and explosives are all on standby waiting for the snow.