A major winter storm moving across New Zealand is bringing significant snow to parts of the South Island, with ski fields across the Southern Lakes and Canterbury among the areas expected to benefit.
MetService says a complex low and frontal system is bringing prolonged heavy rain and snow to parts of the South Island, with conditions expected to gradually ease as the system moves north on Friday.
For skiers and snowboarders, the timing could deliver another significant boost to what has already been a strong August. Current forecasts favour the Southern Lakes, with further snow expected at Cardrona, Treble Cone, The Remarkables and Coronet Peak. Ōhau is also among the ski areas expected to receive substantial snowfall.
Forecasts remain changeable, but the latest outlook has around 20–25cm possible at Ōhau, 18–22cm at Cardrona, 17–21cm at Treble Cone and 13–16cm at The Remarkables through Saturday, with further snow also possible across Canterbury ski areas.
While the storm may cause difficult travel and temporary disruption while it moves through, the fresh snow is very good news for South Island ski fields heading into the final days of August.
