While there is a deadly heatweave striking some parts of the USA, it is winter in New Zealand and a very bad cold weather front is hitting as we speak, bringing a lot of snow to Christchurch and heading up the North Island:
Snow is forecast to continue falling in Christchurch with another "surge of snow" expected until about mid afternoon.
MetService said another 10-20cm above 400 metres and 5-10cm down to sea level was expected from 9am to 3pm.
A foot of snow has already forced most workers to stay at home, closed Christchurch Airport and forced the cancelled of all elective surgery and outpatient clinics.
The heavy dumping of snow over night has prevented hospital staff getting to work.
But Burwood Hospital is operating as normal, both elective surgery and outpatient clinics will continue today.
A city's snow blanket is part of what is believed to be New Zealand's coldest weather event in 16 years.
Forecaster WeatherWatch said temperatures in Christchurch this morning have plummeted to -9 Celsius, in Dunedin it is -6C, Wellington is -5C and in Taupo it is -2C
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http://www.nzherald.co.nz/...
This video was taken at the suburb of New Brighton, which is at sea level and there is snow at the beach:
A snowy Lyttelton:
This one is taken near the capital, Wellington:
Photo of the snow covering damaged building, from the quakes, in central Christchurch:
More video of the snow in Christchurch:
If anyone is reading this in Christchurch... keep warm folks and if you need any emergency help call 111 or please call the Government Helpline 0800 779997 + latest map of road closures http://ow.ly/...
Go here for weather updates:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/...
More chch snow photos:
6:15 PM PT: Back in a few... :)
7:34 PM PT: Heavy snow has cut power to more households and businesses in Christchurch and central Canterbury today.
By 1.30pm, almost 5000 customers across the Orion network region were without power.
Orion general manager commercial Rob Jamieson said only minor network damage has been found at this stage, mostly to overhead lines which are fast to repair
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/...