New Zealand Forecast – Working Week Starts Fine, But Doesn’t End Well
Published early Monday, 7th July 2025
South Island ski fields had a fantastic weekend with mint weather and great overnight snow-making conditions, keeping the snowpack in tip-top shape. Soho Basin opened for the first time, massively expanding the terrain at Cardrona.
Blue skies also finally turned up on Mt Ruapehu on Sunday after about 300mm of rain fell over the previous three days, washing away much of the already thin snowpack. Cold overnight temperatures have the snow guns on Turoa and Whakapapa going hard as we speak as those ski fields try to rebuild.
The fine weather will continue throughout Monday and Tuesday, before a couple of weak fronts from the west bring some showers on Wednesday and Thursday. The showers could potentially fall as snow up top of the South Island Ski fields, although temperatures are marginal. A more active front on Friday will bring a more substantial bout of rain and strong northerly winds, especially for Mt Ruapehu, which will create another setback there.
Monday 7th July
A fine day with some high cloud and light winds across all NZ ski fields.
Tuesday 8th July
Mostly fine again for the South Island, with a little high cloud and developing northeast winds. However, there’ll be some lower-level cloud about the Southern Lakes first thing.
Another mint, sunny day for Mt Ruapehu with light winds.
Wednesday 9th July
Scattered rain will spill over the South Island’s Main Divide for a time during the day, as a front from the west passes over. Those ski resorts closest to the Divide, such as Treble Cone and Temple Basin will see the most of it, and snow could fall about the tops. Northerly winds will be pretty strong in exposed areas.
Mt Ruapehu won’t be too bad, as high cloud increases through the morning and then light showers kick in during the afternoon. Light north to northwest winds.
Thursday 10th July
A partly sunny, partly cloudy day for South Island ski fields, although Canterbury will have less of the latter, and showers may fall on Treble Cone and Temple Basin with snow up top.
A north to northwest breeze on Mt Ruapehu will push in cloud and drizzle, reducing visibility.
Friday 11th July
Another front from the west will bring another bout of rain to the country. For the South Island, it’ll most likely be the afternoon when the bulk of it falls, with heavy falls and strong, gusty northerly winds for Canterbury. Some snow may fall about the tops.
Unfortunately for Mt Ruapehu, rain will gradually become heavier and heavier throughout the day as strong northerly winds become super strong.
Extended Forecast
A low from the west is expected to pass over or under the bottom of the country during the weekend, bringing a colder westerly flow to the country. A series of fronts embeded in the flow will likely bring shots of powder throughout the following week, giving ski fields a much-needed boost after a prolonged warm, wet spell.
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
