New Zealand is in the middle of what has been described as a significant weather event. Heavy snow has covered much of the South Island and also parts of the North Island that haven’t seen snow in decades.
Travel Disrupted and Airports Closed
Ice and snow have caused major disruptions with airports in the South Island closed or operating at minimal levels. On the morning of 16th August 2011, Christchurch Airport and Queenstown Airport were both closed. The website of Christchurch Airport promised an update at 9am and most flights for the day were listed as cancelled.
Many of the state highways around New Zealand remain closed due to snow. TV3 News reported that Queenstown was cut off from the rest of the country with a number of weekend visitors trapped there. Supplies were holding out and residents had been baking their own bread.
Mountain passes were also closed with no access to Arthur’s Pass that links Christchurch to the West Coast of the South Island.
Snow in Christchurch Closes Schools
Much of the South Island experienced another dump of snow overnight and residents awoke to a winter wonderland. Christchurch looked pristine with a fresh layer of snow covering the slushy roads seen the previous evening.
Schools in the area were closed for the second day with updates being posted on the relevant websites. Many businesses remained shut as well with Civil Defence urging people to stay at home. It is expected the snow will turn to ice later in the day making driving conditions hazardous. Graders continued to clear streets and spread grit as the city stirred.
Children have thoroughly enjoyed the unexpected break and snowmen and other icy creations popped up in gardens, school grounds and roadsides. Most were accessorized with caps, carrot noses and scarves.
In many parts of Christchurch, spring flowers offered a strange contrast to the layers of snow.
Snow Affects Rural New Zealand
Farmers were warned of the polar blast and made preparations as far as they could. Interviews on TV3 News revealed that some areas had lost power after snow damaged lines and dairy farmers around the South Island had to dump milk on the 15th August as the Fonterra tankers were unable to access the farms due to road conditions.
New Zealand is in lambing season and there have been multiple reports of lambs and sheep dying due to the extreme cold.
MetService has warned there is still more snow to come with icy conditions lasting until later in the week.
Debbie Roome - Debbie Roome is an award-winning freelance writer, journalist and novelist with over 25 years experience.
