Christchurch, New Zealand - July 31, 2024

Up to a meter of snow is blanketing many parts of New Zealand's South Island after one of the longest and most intense snowstorms in many years, causing no major causalities so far but triggering concerns for the welfare of livestock.

More than 30 hours of continuous snowfall was predicted, with some higher-altitude areas receiving more than half a meter of snow in just 24 hours, resulting in the closure of major roads.

However, many are breathing a sigh of relief after the snowstorm failed to cause any major damage or disruption, and there have been no reports of any livestock losses that many feared.

The weather provided some fun for visiting tourists, but a group of Korean cycling enthusiasts got caught out when they tried to ride through a mountain pass.

The cyclists have been embarking on a tour of New Zealand and were lucky to escape from the freezing conditions without suffering from hypothermia.

However, the main worry came from farmers who have just suffered a dry autumn with little grass growth, and the last thing they wanted was snow.

Many of New Zealand's 25 million sheep can be found in the Canterbury Hills, and given it's close to the spring lambing season there were huge concerns raised about the welfare of pregnant ewes in particular. Fortunately, there was sufficient warning of the icy blast for farmers to move stock to lower ground for protection, although some sheep didn't seem to mind foraging in the snow.

The biggest problem was on the roads, and most major highways across mountain passes were closed for many hours as road crews could not keep up with the sheer volumes of snow that kept falling.

Luckily for everyone, the worst snowstorm in many years was less intense than originally forecast, and the memories will mostly be those of the tourists who got to enjoy the South Island at its wintry best.

Shotlist:
Christchurch, New Zealand - July 31, 2024:
1. Snow scene;
2. Various of people playing with snow;
3. Road sign reading "stop";
4. Rescued Korean cyclists;
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Jamie Huntley, a traffic controller:
"Of course, these lovely cyclists have tried their luck to get over the pass and unfortunately for them haven't succeeded.";
6. Rescued Korean cyclists;
7. SOUNDBITE (English) James (full name not given), manager of the Korean cycle team
"The team went up to the peak and they got stranded, obviously, because it was so icy and they basically had to be rescued.";
8. Various of livestock;
9. Vehicle moving slowly on snow-capped road;
10. Signs along snow-capped road reading "road closed";
11. Vehicle moving slowly;
12. SOUNDBITE (English) Jamie Huntley, a traffic controller:
"We got graders and all sorts of equipment that's been working to keep it open, but when it's falling at a rate that we can't clear it fast enough, the road has to be closed.";
13. Various of snow scene;
14. Various of people playing with snow.

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