Forecast for Wednesday 9th & Thursday 10th July

On Wednesday, scattered rain will affect areas near the South Island’s Main Divide, with Treble Cone and Temple Basin seeing the most, while snow is possible only at higher elevations due to marginal temperatures. Mt Ruapehu will get rain, possibly turning to snow at the tops later, with northerly winds. On Thursday, showers and high-level snow will impact Treble Cone, while Mt Hutt stays mostly sunny; Mt Ruapehu will see cloud and drizzle, affecting visibility.

Forecast for Friday 11th July

On Friday, a strong western front will bring heavy rain starting early on Mt Ruapehu, spreading to Canterbury and the Southern Lakes, with intense downpours and strong north-to-northeast winds, especially fierce on Mt Ruapehu where dense snow may also fall at higher elevations.

Forecast Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th July

On Saturday, South Island ski fields near the Main Divide will be mostly cloudy with rain and mid-upper level snow showers, while Mt Ruapehu’s heavy rain tapers off to showers that turn to snow as cooler air arrives. Sunday brings partly cloudy skies and a light dusting of snow on mid to upper slopes, with snow showers lowering to the base at Mt Ruapehu accompanied by fresh northwest winds.

An unsettled week lies ahead, with early weak fronts bringing a mix of rain and some snow, followed by a stronger mid-week system likely favouring rain; a colder snap later in the week could finally deliver a more substantial snowfall after a mild stretch.

Thanks for reading. The next forecast will be out on Friday.

Mike