Forecast for Wednesday 1st October

On Wednesday, snow clears for sunny powder in the Southern Lakes, Canterbury sees a morning top-up and clearing afternoon, while Mt Ruapehu gets 5–15 cm of fresh snow with brisk westerlies.

Forecast for Thursday 2nd October

On Thursday, clouds build over the South Island with a west front bringing afternoon rain, snow, and possible freezing rain, while Mt Ruapehu sees morning snow showers before afternoon rain and strong westerly gales.

Forecast for Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th October

Friday will be mostly fine and sunny above low cloud, with high cloud building in the afternoon as a Tasman storm approaches, bringing rain after dark with northerly breezes. Saturday sees the storm crossing the country, delivering rain that turns to snow on South Island ski fields as winds shift southerly. Sunday brings clearing snow and easing winds across the ski fields.

Next week, stormy westerlies and gales will bring multiple cold fronts, turning rain to snow. The Southern Lakes will see the heaviest totals, Canterbury less, and Mt Ruapehu often wet.

Thanks for reading. The next and final forecast of the season will be out on Friday.

Mike