Grasshopper’s New Zealand Weekend Forecast, Friday July 18th – Prolonged Fine Spell Ahead
Mountainwatch | The Grasshopper
After a light dusting of snow Tuesday night we’ve had a nice couple of days down south and that will continue for the next several days. The only thing worth noting being a weak front giving most South Island ski fields another light dusting Friday evening through early Saturday.
Further north Mt Ruapehu received much-needed snow on mid-upper slopes on Thursday, which then lowered to base level that night. Remaining snowfall will clear Friday this morning, leaving mostly fine conditions for the next several days, although southerly winds will pick up from Sunday and there’s a chance of snow Monday night.
Friday July 18th
Cloud builds over the Southern Lakes in the morning as northwest winds develop. Then a weak cold front from the west gives the region a fresh dusting during the evening.
A nice, sunny day for Canterbury with a northwest breeze. Snow showers also spread over the Mackenzie Basin in the south at night as the cold front reaches the area.
Saturday July 19th
A nice, clear winters day for the Southern Lakes, with a light and chilly southwest breeze.
In Canterbury, the weak cold front continues northwards, exiting the Mackenzie Basin in the early hours before giving Mt Hutt and nearby ski fields a light dusting of snow on mid-upper slopes around dawn. The cloud cover then quickly breaks up leaving mostly fine and calm conditions for the rest of the day
Sunday July 20th
A clear, crisp winter’s day for the South Island, with westerly breezes for the Southern Lakes, and light, chilly southerlies for Canterbury.
Monday July 21st
A partly cloudy, partly sunny day for the Southern Lakes, with westerly winds.
Canterbury will be fine with some high cloud and a southwest breeze.
Extended Forecast
The situation for next week has changed significantly. The cold fronts that we were expecting are now being pushed out to the east by a big high-pressure system, which will dominate over the country until at least next Friday, the 25th July. Mostly fine, dry weather is expected, but south-southwest winds will get quite strong for some of the time.
Storms may return to the country next weekend, the 26th and 27th July, or early the following week, with a mix of rain and snow on the cards.
That’s all from me today, folks. I’m sending out these forecasts every Monday, Wednesday and Friday throughout the season. Have a great weekend, and I’ll see you back here on Monday.
Grasshopper
