New Zealand – Once-in-a-lifetime blizzards

Blizzards in New Zealand ground flights, close roads, shut down mail delivery and shut off power in what forecasters describe as once-in-a-lifetime conditions.

15 Aug 11 – The cities of Wellington and Auckland saw their first snow for decades, closing schools, universities and courts across much of the lower South Island.

“It’s a once in many decades event,” said MetService head forecaster, Peter Kreft. “We are probably looking at something like – in terms of extent and severity – maybe 50 years.”

Residents of Christchurch and Wellington were unable to leave their houses as the roads were too unsafe to drive, and public transport was severely hit.

Meanwhile, airports in Christchurch and Queenstown were closed for part of the day, stranding travelers.

Wellington Zoo veterinarians took advantage by giving Happy Feet, the emperor penguin they found sick and starving on the west coast last June, a chance to enjoy the ice.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/15/new-zealand-snow-heaviest-years
http://updatednews.ca/2011/08/15/record-breaking-snowstorm-in-new-zealand/
Thanks to Carol Watroba, Wanda and Matilde H. in Denmark for this link

Thanks to Josh Cooley, skiers can check out this link:
http://www.welove2ski.com/jsp/index.jsp?lnk=520