Snow Chaos in New Zealand - Country-wide TV / Video coverage of the polar blast

Monday August 15 2011 - New Zealanders are being urged to stock-up on emergency food and water tonight as the worst winter storm in decades is set to continue. The Antarctic blast, described by MetService as close to a one in 50 year event, has seen roads, schools and airports closed, cut power to thousands of homes and stopped mail deliveries in parts of the country.
The storm had also brought snow in places that don't usually see it, including Wellington and Auckland where snow hasn't fallen in more than 30 years.
MetService spokesman Bob McDavitt said today was likely to be the coldest day and warned New Zealanders to prepare for more snow over the next few days.
"Snow is expected to move offshore during Wednesday," he said.
"As the clouds move away and the winds die down, you'll have frost and black ice on Thursday, maybe even moving into Thursday night or Friday in the central areas."
The heaviest snowfall was expected between Canterbury and Wairarapa, as well as Manawatu towards Taranaki.
The conditions are cold enough to bring snow down to 300 metres, the height of the Sky Tower," McDavitt said.
St John regional operations manager for the South Island, Chris Haines, said people should make sure they have stockpiled enough emergency food, water and other essential supplies as a precaution.
While in Wellington, Civil Defence manager Rian Van Schalkwyk warned residents to stock up on supplies, in preparation for being trapped indoors.
"People should prepare for the worst, which means making sure they're ready in the event that they cannot leave home and may be without electricity and other amenities," he said.
Police have warned of treacherous driving conditions as the snow that blanketed New Zealand today will turn to ice.
Many state highways around New Zealand were closed, including the Desert Road and Rimutaka Hill road in the North Island and the Lewis Pass and Arthurs Pass in the South Island.
"We're warning drivers that, unlike today where the snow was a clearly visible hazard, there will be large areas of ice on the roads tomorrow, especially in rural and shaded areas, that you will not be able to see," Inspector Al Stewart, of Christchurch police, said.
Ad Feedback Road users should assess their local road conditions and stay home or delay non-essential travel where possible, he said.
Today, flurries were reported in Clevedon, Flat Bush, Pukekohe and the Waitakeres, while strong winds brought down dozens of trees, toppled power lines and flipped trampolines in south Auckland.
In the South Island, St John Ambulance attended to nine people, including three in Christchurch, who fell on ice or snow.
"We will continue to monitor the situation for the rest of the day and overnight. We are still using four wheel drive ambulances, as well as other 4WD vehicles as rapid response vehicles," he said.
In the capital, another flurry of snow fell down to sea level in parts of the city, including Lambton Quay, Cuba St and Parliament. Residents in Newtown, Island Bay, and Newlands all reported further snow falls from around 11am.

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[bored1980]

0:38 - Celebrity Squares: The NZ Weather Reporter Edition.

[Cappie2707]

@jonnz82

we all know what thet say about aussies.

you'd open your mouth and never think

[jonnz82]

@Cappie2707 yeh well we all know what they say about the dutch... only figures you'd open your mouth before thinking.

[Cappie2707]

omg when 2 inches of snow falls in dunedin they haven't go to school there.

here in holland last year there was a blizzard there where 20 inches of snow with a windchill of -20 and we had to cycle through it to get to school and teachers got angry when you where too late. pussies