Farmers, drivers on alert as ‘distinctly wintry feel’ to continue
BEING able to make snowangels in the Octagon was never really going to be a possibility, but for a brief moment, Dunedin CBD workers left their offices with hope yesterday afternoon when snow started falling to sea level.
Sadly for some, as forecasted, it failed to settle.
What did settle later in the evening was hail.
A heavy hailstorm hit Dunedin leaving a white coating.
Minor crashes and traffic incidents were reported around the city, cars became stuck in Stuart St and
State Highway 1 between Leith Valley and Waitai, north of Dunedin, was closed about 8.45pm.
Drtivers reported backed up traffic on the Southern Motorway about 9pm.
The Otago Regional Council suspended all Dunedin bus services due to dangerous driving conditions about 9pm.
MetService meteorologist John Law said a front sent cold air northwards over the South Island, turning scattered showers to snow and hail, which brought a ‘‘distinctly wintry feel’’ to Southland and Otago.
While the worst of the weather would sharply clear away to the east today, temperatures this week would remain cooler than the region had experienced recently, he said.
Federated Farmers Southland president and Riversdale farmer Chris Dillon said he had started lambing and the snow caused quite a few lambs to die yesterday.
‘‘We had passing snow showers reasonably frequently — the snow didn’t settle but it did cause quite a few casualties during the night.
‘‘I haven’t worked out the percentage loss yet but it’s been quite noticeable.
‘‘It happens from time to time. Hopefully it’s only a short blast and it doesn’t last too long.’’
Federated Farmers Otago president and Lawrence farmer Mark Patterson said most farmers in his area would not start lambing for another couple of weeks, so yesterday’s light dusting of snow and bitter temperatures had not caused any casualties that he knew of.
He said the cold weather had been forecast well in advance and farmers had prepared for it by putting stock in more sheltered areas.
Aside from the occasional shower, the rest of the week is expected to be mainly clear as a ridge of high pressure builds across southern and central New Zealand.
But the longerrange forecast shows more snow may be on the way early next week.