SNOW ALERT NZ – Snow shaping up for Sunday

Mountainwatch | Snow Alert

Snow Likelihood rating: As always, we are precariously perched on the edge of snow and rain

On the eve of opening day for many of the major resorts in the region The Grasshopper has sounded the horn and warned of the possibility of significant snowfalls on the horizon. In today’s detailed forecast he says, “We’re under a ridge of high pressure today with a bit of cloud clearing. Tomorrow a low pressure system in the Tasman will drag a band of rain down onto the West Coast and we’ll start to see patchy rain drift across during the afternoon. Freezing levels through Saturday are staying above 2200m, so unfortunately whatever precipitation makes it to Mount Hutt for their opening day is going to be falling as rain, expect perhaps at the very top of the area.”

Things start to improve by Sunday though, “as that low approaches the South Island it will start to suck a strong easterly back over the divide. The key is whether freezing levels can fall below 1800m, to take snow down to 1500m…” he said. At this point this system could pull either way, although one thing we have come to learn is that when his antennae start to buzz, it is worth taking note.

When we put a gun to his head and asked him to lay it on the line he noted, “we’re talking the difference between 25 to 50mm of rain and 25 to 50cm of snow. It could be a massive dump, especially for Canterbury, or it could be a disaster if those freezing levels don’t drop.”

Skiers and snowboarders will be waiting with baited breath to see what this storm delivers. Check back for updates as this system progresses.