New Zealand Forecast – Strong winds & rain delay Opening Days, potential snow & cold next week
Published early Friday, 19th June 2026
We’ve had a great start to the week after a pair of cold fronts zipped through and gave Canterbury 5-15cm of snow on Monday, and then the Southern Lakes a few centimetres Tuesday night alongside good snowmaking conditions. The slopes are now looking positively whiter.
If we could’ve left it at that, we’d be looking much better for the rescheduled Opening Day this Saturday. However, conditions will deteriorate on Friday before becoming much rougher on Saturday with very strong northwesters and heavy rain lashing the South Island as a strong front passes over. Our new, fledgling snowpack will take a hit.
In light of the incoming storm, The Remarkables are now aiming to open on Sunday, while Treble Cone and Mt Hutt are aiming for next Saturday, the 27th. Cardrona will open when it can, and Porters is scheduled for next Friday, the 26th. The lead-up to these openings looks promising, with fresh snow and a long run of cold temperatures.
Friday 19th June
Conditions will deteriorate for South Island ski fields as a front approaches from the west. Strong northwesterlies develop and clouds build, before rain showers start spilling over the Main Divide onto the Southern Lakes from the afternoon, and then onto Canterbury at night. It’ll be too warm for snow or snowmaking, so our poor wee snowpack will take a bit of a hit.
Saturday 20th
It’ll be a rough, stormy day for the South Island as a strong front moves northwards over it, with very strong northwest winds and rain lashing the ski fields. The rain will be heavy for a time as the front crosses the Southern Lakes during the middle of the day, and then Canterbury in the afternoon. Conditions will ease behind the front, so if you were to pick a time and place, I’d say late afternoon in the Southern Lakes would be the pick in a bunch of sour grapes. The northwester in Canterbury will be off the charts and best avoided.
Sunday 21st
A much nicer day, with some early cloud then sunny skies and chilly westerly breezes for the Southern Lakes, which will have the snow guns running again. The Remarkables is hoping there’s enough of a snowpack left for their Opening Day.
Canterbury will be partly cloudy, and Mt Hutt could see a little drizzle in the afternoon as northwest breezes flick around to a light southerly.
Monday 22nd
Clear sunny skies as high pressure crosses over the South Island, allowing a light northwest breeze to develop. Cold temps morning and night will have the snow guns blazing, especially down in the Southern Lakes.
Tuesday 23rd
Fine with some high cloud coming off a storm approaching from the Tasman Sea, and a northwest breeze. The breezes will be light for the Southern Lakes, and cold temps there morning and night will give the snow guns another run.
Extended Forecast
The weather charts are looking favourable for snow and cold temps through the rest of next week, offering plenty of promise for a potential opening at Cardrona, Treble Cone, Mt Hutt and Porters Pass.
A storm in the Tasman Sea is expected to cross the country between Wednesday, the 24th and Saturday, the 27th of June and draw in cold air from the south. Models are picking NZ ski fields will either score a shot of snow or a more sizeable dump, especially for Canterbury and Mt Ruapehu. A long run of cold temperatures will also allow the snow guns to add a heap more snow to the groomers. Be sure to check out Monday’s forecast as I should be able to square up some more details.
That’s all from me today, folks. I’m sending out NZ forecasts every Monday, Wednesday and Friday throughout the season. Have a great weekend, and I’ll see you back here on Monday.
Grasshopper
