The Grasshopper – The Latest Snow Forecast

Australian Forecast – Storm of the Season on its way!

Published early Monday, 25^th August 2025

We start the week with mint weather today, Monday, so if you like fair weather conditions, make the most of it, because the storm of the season will hit on Tuesday and won’t clear out till Monday. Things start off warm and wet, but colder air arriving from Wednesday will see snow levels sink to low levels on Thursday. From Wednesday to Friday, around 25 to 50cm of snow is expected to fall in Victoria, and 40 to 65cm in New South Wales. Strong northwesterlies will blow in a lot more onto the upper slopes, while also creating blizzard conditions. If you like storm riding, you’re in for a treat, just keep an eye on operations and play it safe.

Monday 25^th August

Nice and sunny with a northwest breeze for Victoria. Any cloud about New South Wales resorts gradually clears for a fine afternoon as light easterly breezes turn northwest.

Tuesday 26^th August

Clouds gradually build over the Aussie Alps as northwest winds strengthen, reaching gale force in exposed areas. Rain spreads east over Victoria in the afternoon, and then New South Wales in the evening, with heavy falls on the cards.

Wednesday 27^th August

Rain gradually turns to snow above 1500-1700m as cooler air spreads east. Strong northwesterlies will blow a gale in exposed areas.

Thursday 28^th August

Powder Day Alert! Snow showers reach 1000-1200m in the morning, then lift a little through the latter half of the day while becoming heavier and more persistent. Strong, cold west-to-northwest winds will continue to blow a gale in exposed areas, with blizzard conditions expected.

Friday 29^th August

Powder day alert! Snow continues with heavy falls. Strong to gale west to northwest winds also continue with blizzard conditions.

Extended Forecast

Snow showers and strong winds will continue throughout the weekend, adding an extra layer of powder before the storm clears out on Monday, 1^st September, as high pressure starts to push in. The high will keep a lid on things for a few days, but strong northwesterlies will likely get going through the back half of the week.

That’s all from me today, folks. I’m sending out these 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

New Zealand Forecast – Storms Arrive Mid-Week with a Rough Mix of Strong Winds, Heavy Rain & Snow

Published early Monday, 25^th August 2025

Kiwi ski fields had an incredible weekend with clear, calm weather after a fresh dump of powder earlier last week. The run of mint weather continues through Monday and Tuesday as high pressure drifts over the country.

However, things take a turn from Wednesday onwards as the first front in a series of storm systems from the west spreads strong northwesterlies, heavy rain, and mid- to high-level snow up the South Island. Conditions back off behind the front later on Thursday, but colder winds arriving on Friday will see the Southern Lakes pick up an extra dusting of snow to base levels.

Further north on Mt Ruapehu, strong winds and rain will set in later on Thursday, but cooler air arriving Friday will also bring snow levels down to near base levels for a top-up of snow.

Monday 25^th August

Sunny skies for South Island ski fields, with just a little high cloud overhead. Little to no wind for the Southern Lakes and northwest breezes in Canterbury.

Tuesday 26^th August

Another beaut, sunny day for all South Island ski fields, as northwest breezes pick up a touch.

Wednesday 27^th August

A front approaching from the west will see cloud gradually increase over the South Island while northwesterlies strengthen, reaching gale force in exposed areas. Snow showers start spilling over the Main Divide onto Treble Cone in the afternoon, becoming more widespread over the Southern Lakes in the evening while turning to rain on mid and lower slopes. The rain and snow spread to Canterbury overnight.

Thursday 28^th August

Severe gale northwest winds will be howling as the front moves up the South Island, bringing a period of heavy rain and mid- to high-level snow to the Southern Lakes early in the morning before moving up Canterbury. Winds drop off and skies clear behind the front, although that won’t happen until late in the day in Canterbury, so expect delayed openings and closures. Showers of rain and upper-level snow redevelop after closing time.

Friday 29^th August

Snow showers over the Southern Lakes gradually lower below base levels as northwest winds gradually turn a colder west-to-southwesterly.

Canterbury will be partly sunny and partly cloudy while strong northwest winds gradually ease, but light snow showers may briefly turn up on Mt Hutt in the evening.

Extended Forecast

Rough weather will continue to affect NZ this weekend into early next week as another couple of storm systems pass over the country. Each system will initially bring strong winds and a mix of rain and snow, followed by a cold change and snowfall to low levels. If current forecasts hold, Kiwi ski fields will receive a deep layer of fresh powder to kick off the spring season.

That’s all from me today, folks. I’m sending out these 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

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.