An Antarctic polar blast swept across parts of New Zealand’s South Island on Tuesday, bringing snow to sea level and icy temperatures that resulted in road closures and disrupted schools, reports BritPanorama.
Snow blanketed Dunedin, the South Island’s second-largest city, prompting police to advise residents to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary due to icy roads. Conditions contributed to numerous vehicle crashes, although no injuries were reported.
In a social media update, New Zealand Police indicated that several drivers slid off the roads amid the adverse weather. Meanwhile, skiers and snowboarders seized the opportunity to glide down Dunedin’s Baldwin Street, recognized as the world’s steepest residential street. In Christchurch, snow was reported on the sand at New Brighton Beach.
Such snowfalls are rare in Dunedin, especially at sea level, although the city’s hill suburbs often experience snow during extreme cold spells. Following the snow, all bus services in Dunedin were canceled, and ferry services connecting New Zealand’s North and South islands were halted due to strong winds and heavy swells.
According to MetService, New Zealand’s weather bureau, the cold outbreak is expected to last for the next two days, likely bringing snow or sleet to near sea level across the eastern South Island. The forecaster indicated that Thursday morning might see the coldest temperatures of the year in substantial parts of the country.
