Waves of unseasonably cold southerlies travelled from polar latitudes onto southern New Zealand bringing hail and snow. A low was between New Zealand and the South Pole and a high was stuck over the state of Victoria in Australia.

The snowfall throughout New Zealand lasted from the 20th to the 24rd of May.

Snow to sea level occurred throughout Southland and South Otago high country on the 21st. Snow continued and was spreading north to Westland and Banks Peninsula on the 23rd. Heavy snow fell on Southland, Otago and Canterbury on the 24th.

On the 24th all alpine passes remained treacherous for driving because of ice.

Some rural primary schools remained closed until after the 24th.

The Desert Road was closed by severe winter weather on the morning of the 23rd.

SH6 over Spooners Range to Murchison was closed early on the 23rd due to snow.

Eight trampers were rescued off Mount Robert in Nelson Lakes National Park in freezing conditions and three trampers had mild frostbite.

Temperatures were estimated to be as low as -15 degrees Celcius.

Snowfall up to 2.5 cm deep was measured at Okarito an event unheard of in the area.

Due to the snow storm roads were closed, a highway was closed (to Akaroa, Banks Peninsula), power cuts occurred, schools were closed and snow and ice closed roads (in Banks Peninsula).

Freezing snow closed SH75 between Cooptown and Barry's Bay overnight.

Snow to sea level occurred throughout Southland and south Otago high country on the 21st and Otago high country recorded a snow depth of over 20 cm. As snow continued to fall on the 22nd and a snow depth of 2 cm was recorded along the coast and up to 8 cm was recorded in some inland areas. Snowfall spread to the Dunedin hills on the 23rd. South Otago was bombarded with snow for two days from the 23rd until the 24th. Further snowfall occurred in parts of Central Otago on the 27th.

There were numerous vehicle accidents causing injury.

In Otago roads were closed, the area experienced power cuts and schools were closed due to snow and ice.

Temperatures got as low as 0 degrees Celcius.

Roads in the Dunedin area were impassable on the 23rd. Dunedin's streets were reported to be like skating rinks.

Snow still blanketed higher parts of Dunedin on 24th after what was the heaviest May snowfall in 13 years.

On the 22nd a 3 year old was missing in the snow for 5 hours but was later found 1 km from his house.

Snow to sea level occurred throughout Southland high country on the 21st. Snowfall continued on the 22nd and snow depth was recorded at 2 cm along the coast and 8 cm in some inland areas.

There were numerous vehicle accidents causing injury.

Roads were closed and the Te Anau-Milford Highway was closed due to snow.

Power cuts occurred and schools were closed.

Inland Southland recorded a snow depth of over 20 cm.

SH96 from Mataura to Winton was closed early on the 23rd.

SH93 between Clinton and Mataura was closed early on the 23rd.

At least 10 accidents were reported in the region.

One casualty resulted from a road accident

Snow depths up to 5 cm was reported in the Catlins.

Roads in Invercargill area were impassable.

A shopworker at Nightcaps said it was probably the biggest snowfall in 7 years.