Wellington, August 5: New Zealand’s capital is facing an unusual winter phenomenon as it experiences significant snowfall for the first time in 15 years. While many regions in Europe are grappling with extreme heat, the island nation is under the grip of a severe cold wave originating from Antarctica. This has resulted in heavy snowfall and frigid temperatures across much of the country.
According to local media outlet Stuff, Wellington has been blanketed in snow, transforming the city into a winter wonderland. Many residents ventured out of their homes and offices to witness this rare event. Social media is abuzz with photos and videos capturing the snowfall.
In the southern city of Dunedin, heavy snow led to the closure of several schools. Locals took to the world’s steepest street, Baldwin Street, to ski and snowboard, sharing their exhilarating experiences on social media.
The meteorological department reported that temperatures in various parts of the country plummeted to nine degrees Celsius below zero on Tuesday. The snowfall and icy conditions have caused the closure of several major highways, and flight operations at Christchurch Airport have also been disrupted. Authorities have urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel.
New Zealand’s weather agency, MetService, indicated that a temporary improvement in weather conditions may occur on Wednesday, but another cold wave is expected to follow. Thursday could bring the coldest morning of the year to many areas.
Meanwhile, Transpower, the national electricity grid operator, reported record electricity demand and warned of continued pressure on power supplies through the weekend.
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