New ZealandWintry weather forces road closures and flight cancellations, with people at some coastal areas warned of huge swells
Australian Associated Press
Mon 28 Jun 2021 23.13 EDT
An Antarctic blast has brought wild weather and snow to New Zealand, with people on parts of the coast near the capital urged to leave home before huge swells hit the shoreline.
The Wellington Region Emergency Management Office (WREMO) said on Monday night: If your home has been impacted by past swell and storm events or have concerns, arrange accommodation with friends and family.
Major swells are expected to batter the coastline around the capitals southern suburbs, with officials expecting surges and possible flooding of houses when high tide hits.
Arrowtown saw large snowfalls on Monday night. Photograph: George Heard/New Zealand Herald
Air New Zealand has warned of widespread cancellations and delays from the windy and wintry weather, particularly in Wellington.
The polar front began battering the South Island on Monday, dumping snow on many towns and cities and deluging ski resorts as the season begins.
Several suburbs in Wellington reported heavy hail as the storm arrived in the capital, at the base of North Island.
The front is continuing its way north, forcing road closures due to icy and snowy conditions. Around a dozen highways have been shut, including state highway one just north of Dunedin, as well as key mountain passes.
Snowfalls in the resort town of Queenstown have closed schools for the day, with authorities asking residents to avoid driving at all if possible. Snow has also been reported in the coastal city of Dunedin.
The blast has dampened maximum temperatures: on Tuesday, Christchurch has been forecast to reach just five degrees Celsius, Wellington eight, and Auckland 11 all well below their June averages.
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