Frigid temperatures have set in across southeastern Australia, with showers, small hail, snowfalls and icy winds all part of the mix on what promises to be the coldest day of 2026 to date in many locations.
After a cold front ushered in a polar airmass overnight, this was the scene in the village square at Victoria's Mt Buller ski resort, about three hours northeast of Melbourne, just after 9am.
At 9am this Thursday, May 7, many temperature readings in Tasmania and the southeastern mainland were similar to what you'd expect on the coldest days of winter. For example:
A late-season spring snowstorm caused major travel disruptions along Colorado's I-70 mountain corridor Wednesday morning, May 6, leading to a multi-hour closure near Vail Pass as snow totals as deep as 30″ were reported in mountain areas across the state. According to reporting from The Denver Post, eastbound lanes were shut down for more than two hours after two semitrailers jackknifed near milepost 185. The closure, which stretched from East Vail at Exit 180 to the summit of Vail Pass at Exit 190, was officially lifted by 10:30 a.m. after state transportation officials cleared the scene and reopened the roadway.
Three women labourers working in a vegetable field reportedly died after being struck by lightning near Geddavalasa under Rajam mandal in Vizianagaram district.
The deceased persons have been identified as M Satyavathi, M Appalanarsamma and P Ramulamma, all were above 50 years age.
Lukia Nantaba Nile Post Mon, 04 May 2026 13:55 UTC
Residents of Kahama Village in Kafunjo Parish, Buhara Sub-county are in shock following a tragic lightning strike that claimed the lives of three pupils from Bwera Primary School.
The incident occurred yesterday evening at around 5pm during a heavy downpour. The victims were reportedly sheltering inside their home kitchen as the rain intensified, while their parents were away.
The deceased have been identified as 13-year-old Faith Namanya, a Primary Five pupil and daughter of Ronald Rukarekwaho; 13-year-old Daphine Musimiseki, a Primary Four pupil; and four-year-old Shine Ainebyona, a nursery pupil.
Daphine and Shine were daughters of Yosam Tukwasibwe. Local leaders said two of the victims were sisters, while the third was their neighbour.
Preliminary reports indicate that lightning struck the structure, killing the children instantly. The incident has left families devastated and the entire community grieving the loss of young lives.
At least 413 sheep and goats were killed after lightning struck in the remote Nijmula valley of Chamoli district on Sunday, causing heavy losses to livestock rearers.
Around 1,400 animals were being taken towards Niti valley by a group of 10 herders from Byara village. The livestock belonged to nearly 30 families from their village and nearby areas, said Dasholi block head Vinita Bedwal and Hema Negi from Nandanagar in Chamoli. The herders had halted for dinner at Gonna around 9.30pm on Sunday before resuming their journey. Soon after, lightning struck, killing hundreds of animals, according to those present.
Officials said intermittent thunderstorms, accompanied by lightning, hail, heavy rain, and strong winds since Saturday night, have affected livestock owners in some other parts of the state too.
Following fresh snowfall in upper reaches, Mughal Road has been temporarily closed for precautionary measures via Peer Ki Gali.
DTI Poonch Manzoor Ahmad Kohli said that Mughal road, connecting Shopian with Rajouri-Poonch districts was closed following snowfall at Pir Ki Gali for precautionary measures.
He said that Traffic movement has been stopped on Mughal Road due to fresh snowfall in upper reaches of the area and due to slippery conditions, People are advised to avoid travelling on Mughal Road until the road becomes passable," he added.
May Day | Sudden Blizzard at Wutai Mountain Strands Hikers, Forced to Spend the Night in Tents
No casualties have been reported after heavy snow and strong winds left some hikers stranded near the summit of Mount Wutai in Shanxi province over the weekend, Xinhua News reported.
According to the Mount Wutai Scenic Area Administration Committee, weather conditions in the high-altitude area had stabilized by Monday, leading to a sharp decrease in emergency rescue calls.
The scenic area's law enforcement team has established six checkpoints at key junctions starting Saturday to intercept and turn back hikers. It's also providing ongoing rescue support alongside emergency management, police, fire and other departments.
Snowfall and strong winds hit the summit area from midday Saturday to Sunday afternoon, causing temperatures to drop sharply. Rescue teams immediately began emergency search and rescue operations from midday Saturday after receiving reports of stranded hikers.
The Chaotai hiking route on Mount Wutai, a popular trail, attracted large numbers of hikers during the May Day holiday. Authorities said that while hiker numbers are declining, some individuals are still trying to cross the mountain pilgrim through unofficial routes.
Rescuers warned that extreme weather can occur in the summit area and urged the public not to enter undeveloped areas for hiking, pilgrimage walks, camping, exploration or outdoor cooking.
The Troodos Mountains, the highest point in Cyprus, drew attention with an unexpected weather event in May. The snowfall, which started in the evening hours, persisted overnight, blanketing the area in white.
The rare occurrence, well outside seasonal norms, continued into the morning hours and attracted significant attention from both local residents and social media users. Images shared by weather platform Kitasweather quickly reached a wide audience.
