Forecast for Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd June

Snow will ease across the Southern Lakes this afternoon as winds swing to the southwest, with a chance of lingering flurries around Queenstown. In Canterbury, expect blustery west-to-northwest winds and some patchy cloud before lighter southerlies bring scattered snow later in the day.

Skies will be mostly clear and calm over the Southern Lakes and Mackenzie region. Further north in Canterbury, light snowfall may drift into areas like Mt Hutt and Porters during the morning, while Mt Lyford could see occasional snow through to nightfall.

Winds strengthen across exposed areas in the Southern Lakes, with afternoon rain and higher-elevation snow on the way. Canterbury begins fair, but increasing cloud and freshening winds will bring light showers overnight, with snow possible on the peaks.

Forecast for Monday 23rd & Tuesday 24th June

Cloud clears early over South Island ski fields on Monday, bringing a bluebird day as light southwest winds swing westerly. Tuesday is shaping up to be rough, with deteriorating conditions expected.

A powerful system from the west is set to deliver heavy rain and fierce northwest winds on Wednesday and Thursday. A late cold snap on Thursday into Friday may bring some light snow, though not enough to offset earlier losses.

That said, colder air sticking around over the weekend should allow for solid snowmaking, with a weak front possibly adding a light top-up from Saturday night into Sunday.

Thanks for reading. The next forecast will be out early Monday.

Mike