New Zealand Forecast – Time For Crisp, Sunny Weather After The Polar Blast
Published early Wednesday, 5th August 2026
Most Kiwi ski fields picked up another 1-5cm dusting of powder when a strong, polar airmass blasted up the country Monday night and early Tuesday. Mt Lyford in North Canterbury, however, was in the firing line and scored 20+ cm of high-quality powder.
Snow fell to crazy low levels across the country, affecting many towns and roads, including those on the Central Plateau surrounding Mt Ruapehu, and settled at sea level along the east coast of the South Island, where people (and cars) skied down the streets of Dunedin. Snow flurries also showed up in Wellington, the first time it’s snowed there since that memorable storm back in 2011. Wind chill reached well into the negative double digits, and strong winds disrupted lift operations, keeping Mt Hutt and others closed for the day.
Temperatures stay cold across the country as settled high pressure over the South Island on Wednesday spreads to the North Island on Thursday, bringing crisp, clear skies that will keep the snow guns blazing.
A front pushing in from the west will give some South Island ski fields a dusting on Friday before hitting Mt Ruapehu on Saturday, bringing mid-upper-level snow through Sunday with 20-35cm possible. Looking further ahead to next week, things are shaping up for a big stormy week with the potential for significant snowfall across the country.
Wednesday 5th August
A stunning, crisp, clear winter’s day for most South Island ski fields, as icy south-to-southwest winds continue to ease. Wrap up warm though, because wind chill will still be significant, especially in northern Canterbury where winds will be strongest, and Mt Lyford will sit in cloud through the morning with poor visibility.
A cold, clagged-in day for Mt Ruapehu, which will stay enveloped in cloud, especially the lower slopes, while snow flurries continue and strong, icy southerlies gradually ease.
Thursday 6th August
Another gorgeous, bluebird winter’s day for the South Island with light winds.
Mt Ruapehu will also have a gorgeous bluebird day as the cold southerlies continue to ease.
Friday 7th August
A front pushing in from the west will bring a lot of high cloud over South Island ski fields, with some light spillover snow showers in a gusty northwesterly that will be strong in Canterbury. Ski fields closest to the Main Divide, such as Treble Cone and Temple Basin, will make the most of the snowfall with a wee top-up or dusting expected, while only a skiff at best is expected elsewhere. Skies brighten in the afternoon as clouds retreat.
Mt Ruapehu will have a nice, sunny morning before clouds build during the afternoon, as westerly winds develop.
Saturday 7th August
A partly sunny, partly cloudy day across South Island ski fields with northwest breezes.
Snowfall develops early on Mt Ruapehu then builds through the day as a front moves in and northwest winds pick up. Snow levels are marginal down low, so may be wet at base levels below about 1700m.
Sunday 9th August
Mostly sunny and calm for the South Island, apart from some afternoon cloud in Canterbury that could bring a couple of light snow showers in the north.
The front clears Mt Ruapehu early, leaving around 20-35cm of fresh powder on the upper mountain. However, it’ll remain mostly cloudy with a few extra showers of rain and high-level snow. Westerly breezes turn southwest.
Extended Forecast
Forecasts for next week have ramped up for next week, with considerable storm activity expected throughout much of the week. Mild air masses will likely result in a mix of rain and snow early in the week, before transitioning to low-level snow as colder air arrives mid-week. Models aren’t aligned on the details, but signs point to a big week with potential for deep powder. Keep an eye on it!
That’s all from me today, folks. I’m sending out NZ forecasts every Monday, Wednesday and Friday throughout the season. Have a great couple of days, and I’ll see you back here on Friday.
Grasshopper
