State Highway 8 between Fairlie and Tekapo has been closed due to snow, with authorities warning drivers to delay their journey.

The closure affects Burkes Pass, and an update is expected by 9am Thursday.

Further snowfall is forecast across several alpine passes.

A road snowfall warning has been issued for Porters Pass on SH73.

Snow is expected to lower to 800 metres from 10pm Thursday until 6am Friday, with 1 to 3 centimetres likely to settle on the summit and lighter amounts lower down.

Lindis Pass on SH8 is also expected to be affected from Wednesday night to 7am Thursday, with 1 to 3 centimetres of snow forecast around the summit and lighter falls to 800 metres.

On Crown Range Road, rain may turn to snow between 1am and 9am Thursday, with up to 1 centimetre of snow possible above 1000 metres.

Drivers are urged to check road conditions before travelling and take extreme care in alpine areas.