Live weather: Wellington could be in for more snow tonight; Dunedin drivers urged to take care
New Zealand is experiencing a rare, significant cold snap with snow falling in Wellington and freezing temperatures across the country. Authorities have issued warnings for black ice and hazardous road conditions, urging residents to exercise extreme caution.
Why it matters
Extreme weather events in regions unaccustomed to heavy snow can disrupt infrastructure and public safety, necessitating coordinated government and emergency responses.
Overnight temperatures are expected to plummet, with calmer, clearer skies following the snow that fell on much of the country today.
Freezing air pushing up from the Southern Ocean in Antarctica brought snow to about 300 metres in the Wellington region - the first big snowfall in the capital in years - after schools were closed in Dunedin by the frigid weather.
Earth Sciences NZ and MetService meteorologist Jon Tunster said the airmass that hit the country was very cold, sourced directly from Antarctica. "Coupled with that, some very well organised heavy showers were able to allow snow to fall to very low levels."
The transport agency is warning motorists to watch out for black ice on the roads with temperatures set to plummet in frosty conditions.
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