New Zealand Forecast – Wax the Powder Skis, Another Big Spring Dump Incoming For the South Midweek
Published early Monday, 14th September 2026
A cracking spring storm is lining up for the South Island this week, with 20-40+cm of fresh powder on the cards and what could be one of the better powder days we’ve seen lately.
First up, Monday and Tuesday will be mostly fine, giving us a couple of decent days on the slopes before things turn wild and woolly. A slow-moving front rolls onto the lower South Island early Wednesday, with rain and high-level snow gradually turning to widespread snowfall as cold southerlies creep north. By Thursday, the Southern Lakes should wake to 20-40+cm of freshies and clearing skies, with Canterbury following suit later in the day. Wax the powder skis, it’s going to be epic!
There’s more to come Friday as another cold change sweeps north, bringing a smaller top-up, particularly around Mt Hutt and farther north. Mt Ruapehu largely misses the midweek powder, but its turn comes Friday night after a soaking during the day, with rain turning to snow as colder southerlies pile in behind a low-pressure system.
Monday 14th September
Fine across the South Island with some high cloud. Westerly winds for the Southern Lakes and southwest breezes in Canterbury gradually die away.
Mt Ruapehu will have just a little afternoon cloud in an otherwise perfectly sunny day, with a light southwest breeze.
Tuesday 15th September
A mostly fine day for the South Island, but strengthening northwest winds will see clouds start to build later in the afternoon.
Mt Ruapehu stays clear and sunny, with a light southwest breeze.
Wednesday 16th September
A slow-moving front moves onto the lower South Island during the wee hours before dawn, spreading rain and upper-level snow over the Southern Lakes and up the Main Divide. A light but cold southerly then creeps over the Southern Lakes later in the morning, lowering snow to base levels and keeping the slopes topped up with fresh powder through the rest of the day and into the night.
In Canterbury, rain and high-level snow will spill over from the Main Divide throughout the day, while gale northwesterlies back off during the afternoon. The cold southerly then pushes up the region after dark, bringing widespread snowfall down to low levels.
Another nice, sun-filled day for Mt Ruapehu as light westerlies turn northwest.
Thursday 17th September
South Island ski fields are in for a cracking powder day, with storm totals of 20-40+cm expected once it all clears. Snow clears the Southern Lakes during the morning as light southerlies swing southwest, revealing clear, sunny skies. The clearing then gradually works its way north through Canterbury, starting with the Mackenzie area during the afternoon before pushing farther north after dark. Wax the powder skis because this is one powder day you won’t want to miss!
A mostly cloudy day for Mt Ruapehu with drizzly showers becoming more persistent later in the day, and a stiff northwester.
Friday 18th September
South Island ski fields will score another little top-up of powder as a strong, cold south-to-southwest change sweeps northwards. The change crosses the Southern Lakes during the morning before reaching Canterbury later in the afternoon or evening, bringing another round of snow showers. Snowfall will be a little heavier and more persistent around Mt Hutt and areas farther north, where around 2-5cm could pile up.
Mt Ruapehu will cop it as a low-pressure system rolling over the North Island brings heavy rain through much of the day. Strong northeasterlies ease before southerlies crank up later, with rain turning to snow overnight as colder air piles in.
Extended Forecast
Mt Ruapehu will be left with a fresh wee top-up of powder as the low departs on Saturday the 19th of September. Hot on its heels, strong and unsettled spring westerlies return, with several fronts zipping across the country bringing bouts of rain and snow through midweek.
Snow totals don’t look huge at this stage, with just a top-up expected, while the howling winds could cause plenty of headaches. Things should finally settle down for a quick spell around Thursday or Friday, the 24th and 25th.
That’s all from me today, folks. I’m sending out NZ 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
