Motorists are being advised to avoid two sections of North Island highways today as the roads are closed for blasting and snow.

A section of State Highway 29 in the Kaimai Ranges is closed at Ruahihi Power Station at 10am, 12pm and 2pm today to allow for the removal of rocks and trees from Ruahihi Bluff.

Detours will be in place via Poripori, Crawford and Wairoa Roads to State Highway 2 at Wairoa - the northern entrance to Tauranga.

Where possible drivers are asked to use an alternative route - Auckland travellers should use SH2 and Hamilton traffic should use SH36 through Pyes Pa Road and SH5.

Meanwhile, heavy snow overnight has forced the closure of the Desert Road.

NZTA says it is unsure when the road will be reopened.