The Grasshopper – The Latest Snow Forecast

Australian Forecast – A Quiet Spell, Then a Wee Top-Up Early Next Week

Published early Friday, 13^th June 2025

Snow accumulations from the Opening Weekend Storm saw Aussie resorts score a healthy load of snow, ranging from 35cm at Mt Buller to around 70m at Hotham and Perisher, with the other resorts sitting somewhere in between. It was a timely dump that has allowed us to kick off the season with a good amount of terrain open, with even more opening up this weekend.

A ridge of high pressure will keep skies clear Friday and Saturday, before northwest winds and some light showers kick up on Sunday ahead of a front early next week. The front will bring a nice wee top-up of snow Monday and Tuesday, although temperatures are looking marginal at first.

Friday 13^th June

Any cloud cover clears first thing to a fine, sunny day, with light southeasterly breezes.

Saturday 14^th June

Another fine day, with increasing northerly winds.

Sunday 15^th June

Partially cloudy, with a few snow showers or flurries likely, and north-to-northwest winds.

Monday 16^th June

Patchy drizzle or snow flurries throughout the day, turning to heavier snowfall after dark. Strong, gusty north-to-northwest winds.

Extended Forecast

Snow showers will likely continue through Tuesday, the 17^th, adding to what should be a nice wee top-up, with some light leftovers possible on Wednesday, the 18^th of June.

High pressure will then keep things dry and settled until next weekend, when on Sunday, the 22^nd June, a fast-moving front passes over, possibly bringing a mix of rain and snow.

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

New Zealand Forecast – More Snow for Mt Hutt Opening Day, Settled & Sunny this Weekend

Published early Friday, 13^th June 2024

Kia ora te whanau! This coming weekend is Opening Weekend for a lot of major ski fields in Aotearoa, New Zealand, so it’s time to stay glued to the weather forecast. A timely dip in the Southern Annular Mode has led to a prolonged storm cycle, resulting in widespread snow and cold temperatures across the South Island.

Canterbury in particular has scored big-time, with Mt Hutt receiving about 112cm over the last week, including a fresh 15cm of snow reported Thursday morning. Snow continued falling on Thursday, even though it turned wet on the lower slopes, and will continue to fall today (Friday) for Opening Day, with snow levels eventually lowering later. With a base of 75-121cm, it’ll be the best start to a season here in years.

The Southern Lakes have also had a couple of shots of powder recently, bringing in around 15-25cm, with another skiff of snow falling Wednesday night. A long run of cold temps has allowed ski fields to further bulk up the groomed runs with man-made snow, so there’ll be plenty of terrain ready to roll for Opening Day Saturday.

High pressure will set in over the South Island this weekend, giving us several days of sunshine and light winds. Just perfect!

Friday 13^th June

For Southern Lakes, the Queenstown ski fields may see some light flurries in the morning before cloud covering the region gradually breaks up through the second half of the day. Just light southerly breezes, and temps will be nice and chilly at night for making snow.

From midnight till midday, Canterbury will receive a solid 10-15cm of snow on the upper slopes of the Frontal Range (Mt Hutt, Porters Pass), with around 5cm farther inland, but it’ll be wet on the lower slopes. Lighter snowfall will predominantly continue about the Frontal Range through the afternoon as snow levels lower to base altitudes, before finally clearing up at night, leaving up to another 5cm. Best to stick to the high ground if you can for opening day at Mt Hutt.

Saturday 14^th June

A nice, calm, sunny day across the South Island, perfect for Opening Day in the Southern Lakes. Any cloud cover in Canterbury will clear early. Chilly temps for snow making.

Sunday 15^th June

Another stunning day for South Island ski fields, with mostly calm, sunny skies for the first Sunday session of the season. There’ll just be a little cloud over the Southern Lakes in the morning. Cold temps morning and night for the snow guns.

Monday 16^th June

Sunny and calm for the Southern Lakes.

It’ll be sunny for Canterbury too, except for some snow showers in the north, likely hitting Mt Lyford. Southeast breezes.

Extended Forecast

High pressure will likely keep skies clear for Tuesday, 17^th, and Wednesday, 18^th, June.

A couple of fronts will then bring brisk northwest winds and a few showers of rain and snow on Thursday and Friday, the 19^th and 20^th of June, before a mostly fine weekend dominated by high pressure.

That’s all from me today, folks. I’m sending out these forecasts every Monday, Wednesday and Friday throughout the season. So, see you back here Monday.

Grasshopper

The Grasshopper has wrapped up his weekly Japan forecasts for for the 2024/25 season. He’s having a couple of months R&R and will be back in June with his Australian and New Zealand  forecasts.

And, of course, Japan’s best snow forecasts will resume in December 2025.

The Grasshopper has wrapped up his weekly NorthAmerican forecasts for for the 2024/25 season. He’s having a couple of months R&R and will be back in June with his Australian and New Zealand  forecasts.

And, of course, our North American snow forecasts will resume in December 2025.