Snowflakes are falling in places where snowflakes don’t usually fall!
This ‘weather event’ is exceptional. In fifteen years of living in this region I’ve seen only one brief flurry of snow for a few short minutes. Last night it snowed sufficiently to enable a snowman, complete with a large carrot nose, to materialise on the verge opposite our house. Mid-morning we took a drive to the top of our road and took photos of the powdery covering on the hills which encircle us. The view was breathtaking, as was the chill in the air.
A late morning snowfall here was gentle and rather beautiful as the individual snowflakes seemed to dance in the air for several delightful moments before drifting softly down to coat the garden with what looks distinctly like icing sugar. However, less than 25k away people experienced full blizzard conditions. It’s great fun but also just a little frightening.
While for many places snow is expected as a normal part of winter, Wellington hasn’t experienced this type of snowfall for at least 40 years, so we are unprepared for it. We are being told to plan for very rapidly changing weather and road conditions over the next few days. Gale-force winds and high seas are also predicted. For some this means battening down the hatches, staying indoors and cancelling appointments. For others it means rugging up warmly and driving with extreme care and caution.
This ‘once in a lifetime event’ is rather exhilarating and beautiful and it also has the potential to be somewhat inconvenient and dangerous. Parts of our city were completely cut off by the storm last night and elsewhere in the country flights were cancelled, falling trees brought down power lines, and boats broke free of their moorings. It doesn’t do to underestimate the power of an arctic blast, no matter how picturesque its affects appear from the comfort and safety of your living room.
Suddenly we are required to think and act in a different way due to an unusual set of conditions and circumstances. These unforseen changes bring challenges as well as benefits.
What unexpected changes and events have you encountered?
What were some of the benefits and challenges you experienced?
How did you respond?
