UPDATE 9:40AM - State Highway 5, between Taupo amd Napier, is now open.

The road was closed earlier this morning due to overnight snowfall.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency reports that SH1/Desert Road remains closed.

EARLIER:

People travelling up the North Island through the Central Plateau are being urged to delay their journey.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency reports that State Highway 5, between Taupo and Napier, and State Highway 1/Desert Road, between Rangipo and Waiouru, are closed.

This is due to the snowfall from overnight, says a post on the roading agency Twitter page.

Image: Twitter/NZTA.

In the Bay of Plenty today, the MetService is forecasting rain to clear before dawn and then a fine day.

Southeasterlies are expected around the area with a high of 13 degrees and an overnight low of two.