New Zealand Forecast – Another Top-Up for the South Island, More Rain for Ruapehu
Published early Wednesday, 2nd July 2025
We’ve had a couple of gorgeous days here in Zealandia, but clouds will start to gather today, Wednesday, as another low in the Tasman approaches. The low will send a front over the country on Thursday, bringing a mix of mainly snow and a bit of rain to the South Island, while Mt Ruapehu cops heavy rain and strong winds.
The low will bring more rain to Mt Ruapehu on Friday and Saturday as it crosses the North Island. Meanwhile, cooler southerlies spread over the South Island, turning light rainfall in Canterbury into snow from late Saturday into Sunday.
Wednesday 2nd July
A fine day with northwest breezes for South Island ski fields, but high cloud gradually increases throughout the day as a front from the northwest approaches.
Mt Ruapehu will turn cloudy in the morning as northerly winds strengthen, although the upper slopes may remain clear. Drizzle will start in the evening.
Thursday 3rd July
The front from the northwest moves over the country, bringing snow to the South Island for much of the day, while northeast winds strengthen. However, the snow will be dense, and in Canterbury, it’ll fall as rain on mid-lower slopes at the start and end of the day, on either side of a dip in snow levels. The southern Lakes are likely to receive between 5 and 15 cms, while Canterbury could score between 10 and 30 cms, dispersed between the lower and upper slopes.
It’ll be a horrible day for Mt Ruapehu, with heavy rain and gale-force northerly winds likely limiting operations. Not what they need right now.
Friday 4th July
Skies will remain fairly cloudy over the South Island, and there’ll be some light scattered rain, most likely around the middle of the day. Light winds for the Southern Lakes, and a mild northwest breeze for Canterbury.
More rain for Mt Ruapehu with strong northwest winds.
Saturday 5th July
A cloudy day for the South Island, with light rain in Canterbury turning to light snow late, as cooler southerly winds develop.
Rain on Mt Ruapehu clears during the latter half of the day, as northwest winds ease.
Sunday 6th July
Cloud clears the Southern Lakes early for a fine day with light winds.
Light snowfall in Canterbury gradually clears as the southerly breeze dies away, but it’ll remain cloudy.
Southerly winds will keep skies cloudy over Mt Ruapehu.
Extended Forecast
Next Week, an unsettled Tasman Sea will direct a mild northerly flow over the country, bringing some rain, and possibly high-level snow to South Island ski fields. Colder southerlies arriving next weekend could bring higher quality snow, ranging from a dusting to a dump, with Canterbury currently favoured by models
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 Friday.
Grasshopper
