New Zealand Forecast – Wintry Conditions & More Snow as Season Comes to a Close
Published early Wednesday, 9th of October 2024
South Island resorts received a top-up of snow on Tuesday and Tuesday night. Mt Olympus in Canterbury received 8cm, while only 3-7cm fell over the Southern Lakes, which is a bit disappointing as much more was expected up high.
Wintry conditions will bring a little more snow to the South Island today (Wednesday), leaving a light dusting and finer weather for Thursday and Friday. The season’s final weekend promises to be a hoot as resorts will receive even more snow. Sunday, in particular, will bring some decent snowfall to Canterbury, with 10-20cm expected. The Southern Lakes could see a similar amount or as little as a dusting.
Mt Ruapehu will also receive some much-needed snow over the next several days. Thursday, in particular, will be good, with 5-15cm expected alongside rare calm conditions that will persist through Friday.
Wednesday 9th October
Light snowfalls over the Southern Lakes will continue throughout the day to low levels as brisk, cold westerlies gradually turn southwest. The snow clears in the evening.
In Canterbury, gale northwesterly winds are forcing snowfall far enough over the Main Divide to reach Mt Olympus, and if we’re lucky, we may see some reach Mt Hutt. The snow will clear in the morning as winds ease, leaving partly cloudy skies, but there’ll be another light dusting this evening.
On Mt Ruapehu, rain will turn to lighter snowfall in the morning and persist until evening, leaving up to 5-10cm. Strong winds and inclement weather have closed Whakapapa for the day.
Thursday 10th October
Cloud clears the Southern Lakes in the morning for a fine day, and then Canterbury around midday for a fine afternoon. Cold south-southwest breezes gradually dying away.
A rare, light wind snow day for Mt Ruapehu. Snow will get started in the morning and gradually become heavier in the afternoon before clearing at night. Around 5-15cm is expected.
Friday 11th October
A cloudy day for the Southern Lakes and a mostly sunny one for Canterbury. Northwest winds will be fairly strong in exposed areas of the Southern Lakes.
Another calm day for Mt Ruapehu, but there’ll be some light showers from late morning until evening, which will fall as snow on mid and upper slopes.
Saturday 12th October
There’ll be a few snow showers over the Southern Lakes in the afternoon. Apart from that, it’ll be mostly sunny for South Island resorts, although northwest winds will be fairly strong in exposed areas.
Mt Ruapehu will be fine until showers develop in the afternoon as southwest winds pick up, with snow about mid and upper slopes.
Sunday 13th October
Light but cold southerlies will bring some more snow showers to the Southern Lakes, while snowfall in Canterbury will likely become heavier and persistent for a time.
Mt Ruapehu will likely see a few more snow showers as westerly winds turn northwest.
That’s all from me today, folks. The next and final forecast of the season will be on Friday. See you then, and have a great couple of days.
Grasshopper
