WELLINGTON, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- A polar blast brought snow, hail and freezing temperatures to parts of New Zealand on Tuesday, forcing road closures, shutting schools and disrupting ferry services.

Snow fell to low levels across parts of the South Island, particularly around Dunedin and Christchurch, while hail was reported in Wellington as cold southerly air moved north across the country, according to the national weather agency MetService.

A section of State Highway 1 in Otago in the South Island was temporarily closed because of snow before reopening later in the day. A road snowfall warning remained in effect for the area, while a section of State Highway 87 was still closed, according to the New Zealand Transport Agency.

Police urged people to avoid travel in Dunedin after several crashes in snowy conditions, with some vehicles sliding off roads.

The Ministry of Education said all primary, intermediate and secondary schools from Mosgiel to Palmerston in the Otago region were closed, along with some early childhood education centers.

The severe weather also disrupted transport across the Cook Strait, with most ferry sailings canceled because of forecast strong winds and large swells.

The snowfall also drew attention to Dunedin's Baldwin Street, widely known as the world's steepest residential street, where a skier was seen descending the snow-covered slope, Radio New Zealand reported.