Snow closes Dunedin schools and state highways, sleet falls in Wellington
Severe winter weather has caused school closures, highway shutdowns, and multiple vehicle accidents across New Zealand's South Island. Wellington also experienced rare snowfall, with authorities urging residents to avoid travel due to icy conditions.
Why it matters
Extreme weather events disrupt critical infrastructure and public safety, highlighting the vulnerability of regional transport networks to sudden climate shifts.
<p>Snow falling to low levels across parts of the eastern South Island has shut schools, closed several sections of state highway and caused multiple crashes in Dunedin this morning, with police urging residents to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary.</p> <p>The icy conditions also have made their way to Wellington this afternoon, with multiple users on social media reporting snow had appeared to fall in parts of the capital, including the CBD and surrounding suburbs.</p> <p><a href="https://www.tvnz.co.nz/player/newsclip/watch-snow-falls-in-wellington-for-the-first-time-in-over-a-decade" target="_blank"><b>Watch: Snow falls in Wellington for the first time in over a decade - Watch on TVNZ+</b></a></p> <p>MetService later confirmed to 1News what was falling from the sky in Wellington was a mix of sleet and snow.</p> <p>Several vehicles slid off the road in Dunedin as snowfall and icy conditions make driving difficult, though…
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