A so-far unseasonably wet and cold January has Dunedin firewood and coal suppliers watching orders "flying out the door" and contemplating hiring more staff to cope with the unusually high demand.
It went "absolutely crazy" at the beginning of last week, said A.
McCann Wood and Coal Merchant co-owner Carol McCann.
The firm's truck would normally be on the road once a week at this time of the year, but for the past few weeks it had been out every day.
"Lots of people are saying how cold they have been."
Dunedin Firewood Ltd co-owner Glenda Bowen said since she came back from holiday on Monday, business had been "incredible".
Sales usually picked up after Christmas as people began to stock up for the coming winter, but it normally began to get busy in February, rather than January, she said.
Many people were looking for wood to burn now, as well as to stack for winter.
The Woodshed manager Marty Cheyne said it had been a lot busier than expected and the company was looking at taking on extra staff if the high demand continued.
Demand had been so high dry firewood sold out last Friday before more was delivered from Ranfurly during the weekend.
"Yesterday and the day before we were doing some of our top sales for the summer."
Firewood Supplies Ltd owner Peter Chalmers said he was also busy for this time of the year, although it was a time many people stocked up for winter.
"I think people are a bit worried about the weather pattern in the northern hemisphere. Quite often we follow on from them."
Europe has been gripped by a severe winter, with a wave of cold and snowy weather halting transport and causing dozens of deaths.
