New Zealand Forecast – A Bit of Everything as Fronts Continue to Whip Through
Published early Monday, 15th September 2025
There is a mix of unsettled weather across New Zealand’s ski fields for the coming working week. The South Island faces a series of fronts with strong to gale northwesterlies, a burst of heavy rain, and a little snow as systems sweep through. This eases into calmer, sunnier conditions by Friday. Mt Ruapehu sees a run of showers, high-level snow, and strong winds, with colder air later in the week dropping snow levels and delivering a fresh top-up.
Monday 15th September
A partly cloudy day for the South Island. A few showers of rain and high-level snow spilling over the Main Divide may reach some ski fields in the afternoon as a weak front approaches. The showers will become more widespread over the Southern Lakes for a time in the evening as the front passes over. Northwest winds rise to gale in exposed areas, especially in Canterbury.
Southwest winds continue to bring cloud and showers of rain and mid- to upper-level snow to Mt Ruapehu.
Tuesday 16th September
Another partly sunny, partly cloudy day for South Island ski fields as northwest winds gradually strengthen again, reaching gale force in exposed areas.
Showers of rain and high-level snow on Mt Ruapehu clear evening as southwest winds turn westerly.
Wednesday 17th September
It’ll be a rough one for South Island ski fields as another, stronger front spreads heavy rain northwards up the South Island, with northwesters reaching gale force in exposed areas of the Southern Lakes, but severe gale in Canterbury.
Behind the front, winds back off a touch, rain eases to showers, and snow levels start to drop. For the Southern Lakes this’ll happen during the afternoon, and in the evening for Canterbury.
Clouds and then showers of rain and high-level snow build on Mt Ruapehu as northwest winds strengthen.
Thursday 18th September
Snow showers over the Southern Lakes clear evening after brisk westerlies turn a colder southwest in the afternoon. Between 2-10cm is expected.
In Canterbury, any remaining snow showers spilling over the Main Divide clear early for a mainly fine day as gale northwest winds ease. A cold southerly whips through in the evening, giving ski fields a dusting or top-up of powder.
The front crosses the North Island, bringing heavy rain and gale northwest winds to Mt Ruapehu early, followed by showers and sinking snow levels throughout the day as colder winds from the west arrive.
Friday 19th September
A nice, sunny day for the South Island as a ridge of high pressure moves up the country, although there’ll be some afternoon high cloud as northwest winds pick up.
Snow showers on Mt Ruapehu clear early after a cold southerly whips through. Clouds will also quickly clear up as the southerlies gradually ease throughout the day.
Extended Forecast
The weather will hardly let up this weekend and next week as a near seamless line-up of strong weather systems are expected to cross the country. Strong winds will continue to plague ski fields, especially this weekend and Monday, September 22nd, then again through the back half of next week. Bouts of heavy rain and snow are on the cards as each of the systems pass over, bringing pulses of cold air. However, we’ll wait closer to the time before going into detail due to increasing levels of uncertainty and the fact that models tend to get carried away in the extended period.
That’s all from me today, folks. I’m sending out these forecasts every Monday, Wednesday and Friday throughout the season. Have a great couple of days, and I’ll see you back here on Wednesday.
Grasshopper
