The Desert Road remains closed this morning due to snowfall in the area,

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency issued a road closure notice on Wednesday night.

In an update this morning, the roading agency says the road is still closed.

"SH1 remains closed between Rangipo and Waiouru. Continue to follow the provided detour route."

The detour is as follows: via SH49, SH4, SH47, SH46, back onto SH1. Reverse for SB.

"This detour will add at least 40 minutes to journey times."

According to Waka Kotahi, several other roads are also closed.

A map showing the locations of other road closures. Image: Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.

The MetService issued a road snowfall warning earlier this week.

In an updated statement this morning, the MetService says that in the five hours from 7am today to 12pm tonight, snow showers are expected above about 500 metres at first but the level rises during the morning to 800 metres before the showers clear around midday.

A further 1 to 3 cm of snow may accumulate above 800 metres with lesser amounts down to 600 metres.