Earliest snowfall in several decades.
14 April 2015 – An unseasonably early dump of snow on the North Island’s ski fields has excited skiers and snowboarders, prompting a few to hit the slopes for some pre-winter fun.
A brutal southerly blast straight from Antarctica swept New Zealand on Monday and blanketed the country’s ski fields in snow.
North Island’s four fields – Whakapapa, Turoa and Tukino on Mt Ruapehu, plus Manganui on Mt Taranaki – were all celebrating the snowfall. “Everyone is excited about it,” New Plymouth snowboarder Craig Balks said.
About 6cm of snow covered Manganui Ski Area’s top car park by early Tuesday morning, he said. “I definitely think this is the earliest snow for ages.”
Stratford Mountain Club spokesman Rob Needs said it was the most significant snow to fall at such low levels and so early in the winter season for several decades.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/67733858/wintry-blast-dumps-snow-on-north-islands-ski-fields
Thanks to Argiris Diamantis for this link