Unprecedented snowstorm strikes eastern Australia, with New South Wales receiving up to 40 centimeters of snow — the heaviest snowfall since the 1980s. For the first time in 10 years, snow fell in Queensland, causing floods, power outages and one woman missing. Meanwhile, Santa’s village in Finland is experiencing an unusual heatwave. Temperatures in Australia dropped to as low as -3°C, while authorities warn of dangerous black ice, creating emergency conditions.
Read more: Australia: Rare blanket of snow covers eastern cities – Thousands of households without power
Snow covers Australia as heatwave sweeps Santa’s village (Images)
The images coming from Australia seem to belong to another continent, as cities are buried under snow, roads have closed and homes remain without power. Winter shows its fierce side with the most intense snowfall in the last 40 years hitting New South Wales and Queensland within just a few hours.
At the same time, opposite weather conditions are recorded in Finland, where Santa’s village is experiencing an unusually hot heatwave. According to ABC News Australia, in some areas temperatures dropped to minus three degrees Celsius during the night, while emergency services warn of the danger from black ice, which increases hazardous road conditions.
First snow for many Australians
Golf courses transformed into ski slopes. For many Australians it was the first time they had seen snow — and its magic left them speechless. “I have never seen snow in my entire life and it really is a surreal experience,” said a Queensland resident. More than 1,400 calls were received by Civil Protection services. A young woman is missing after being swept away by rushing waters.
Heatwave in Santa’s village
Temperatures above 30°C for more than two weeks hit Rovaniemi, Finland, breaking all previous records. The image of the famous Santa’s village in the Arctic Circle changed completely, with heat dominating a setting that is traditionally dressed in white.
“We thought that returning to Finland would be cooler as usual, but no. It has the same weather as the south,” said a surprised Finnish resident who returned from vacation in the Mediterranean. The heat upends decades of data, with residents and visitors adapting to a summer that bears no resemblance to northern Europe.
