SNOW ALERT - Winter on the Way for Mt Ruapehu

12th of June 2012

Mt Ruapehu on 2 June. Image:: Mt Ruapehu

Snow Alert | The Grasshopper

Mt Ruapehu has been looking a bit naked ahead of Turoa's supposed opening date of June 16. The Grasshopper has been looking ahead and reckons chances are firming for some snow in about 8 days time.

Here's what he had to say in his extended outlook this morning:

"The next rain/snow is due early on Tuesday 19 June, and there will be plenty of it, but when the heavy stuff arrives the freezing level will have been rising for several hours and we'll be looking at rain below 2400m (which is above top lift height). Our real hope comes later on Tuesday when some cold air should arrive with plenty of moisture in a strong westerly. It looks like 15 to 25cm to me as long as the cold air arrives on time. I wouldn't normally call this a season starter, but it might have to be."

It's not a sure thing yet, but it's the best hope we've got for now, so fingers crossed.