New Zealand Forecast – More Freshies on the Way as Spring Keeps on Giving
Published early Monday, 21st September 2026
A strong, cold southerly came roaring up the country over the weekend, dishing out yet another round of spring freshies. The Southern Lakes picked up another dusting of a few centimetres Saturday night for what feels like the umpteenth time this spring, while Canterbury received just a skiff of its own.
Mt Ruapehu then found itself right in the firing line on Sunday. Strong winds kept the ski fields closed, but snow fell from top to bottom. Final tallies are still to come in, although somewhere around 5-15cm was expected to have fallen.
And the spring powder taps certainly aren’t being turned off just yet. The South Island is in for a wild and woolly Monday as howling northwesterlies and rain barrel in, before a sharp cold change delivers 1-8cm after dark. Another 2-6cm follows for the Southern Lakes on Tuesday, with Canterbury picking up a similar amount overnight. Mt Ruapehu then gets another turn at the powder trough on Wednesday with 5-10cm, before things briefly settle down. A few more modest top-ups are possible across the country on Friday as another storm system swings through.
Monday 21st September
Northwest winds gradually crank up across the South Island as a front approaches from the south, with howling gales developing in the afternoon that will no doubt affect lift operations. Spillover rain spreads across the Southern Lakes during the afternoon, then into Canterbury during the evening, ahead of a short, sharp cold change that’ll rip through after dark and deliver a fresh 1-8cm shot of powder across South Island ski fields.
Mt Ruapehu will be nice and clear up high, although brisk westerlies will bring some cloud onto the lower slopes.
Tuesday 22nd September
A fine start for the Southern Lakes, but another surge of cold westerlies will bring snow showers from late morning into the evening, adding another 2-6cm to the tally.
Any lingering snowfall clears Canterbury during the morning, leaving behind clear, sunny skies. Westerlies then strengthen again during the afternoon before another cold change sweeps through as a southerly wind in the evening, delivering a handy 2-6cm overnight.
Rain develops on Mt Ruapehu during the morning ahead of a cold southwest change sweeping through in the afternoon, delivering a wee dusting of snow before skies clear later.
Wednesday 23rd September
A mix of fine and cloudy spells across the South Island as icy south-to-southwest winds gradually ease.
Mt Ruapehu gets its turn at the powder trough, picking up another 5-10cm through the day as winds swing to an even colder southerly during the morning.
Thursday 24th September
Mostly sunny skies across South Island ski fields, accompanied by chilly westerly breezes.
Mt Ruapehu gets a nice, clear start as the cold southerlies ease, although a few snow showers will turn up during the afternoon as a southwest breeze develops.
Friday 25th September
The Southern Lakes will see a few snow flurries through the middle of the day, but it’ll be fine either side with light westerly breezes.
Canterbury also starts out fine, but a light southeast breeze will bring snow from late morning into the evening, potentially laying down another handy 2-6cm of snow.
Mt Ruapehu starts out fine once again, but snow showers redevelop later in the morning as westerly breezes pick up, giving the ski fields another wee top-up.
Extended Forecast
In the spring that just keeps on giving, Kiwi ski fields could be lining up for another decent whack of snow as a potentially powerful storm takes aim at the country sometime between Saturday the 26th and Wednesday the 30th of September.
Models are still wrestling over exactly how it’ll all play out, so there are plenty of details to iron out yet. But at this early stage, Canterbury looks particularly well placed to cash in, potentially coming out on top with the deepest powder totals.
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 Wednesday.
Grasshopper
