MEDIA RELEASE

FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2016

Let it snow, let it snow, let it...

After a dismal start to the ski season across New Zealand, Mother Nature might just deliver a mid-winter gift to those seeking snow in the South Island during the school holidays.

During Tuesday and Wednesday of next week, a powerful storm will march across the Southwest Pacific, tapping into a tropical tongue of moisture and spreading it across the country.

From the ski fields near Queenstown through to the fields about the west of Canterbury, it may turn out to be the best burst of snow so far this winter. On the North Island, Mt Ruapehu will see a bit of snow; however, mild temperatures may prevent any dramatic improvement in the snow base.
Additional light snow may continue into Thursday and Friday.

Last month several ski areas such as Porters in mid-Canterbury and Treble Cone and Coronet Peak in Otago were forced to delay opening or close again due to rounds of mild weather and rain.

Snow depth at NIWA’s climate station at Mueller Hut near Mt Cook was at 24cm on June 30. This is about half the snow depth compared to the same date in 2014 and a quarter of last year’s depth. Meanwhile, Treble Cone had a 225cm snow base in Saddle Basin this time last year. Now it is just 25cm.

Once the storm passes, cold southerlies are forecast to persist into the weekend, preventing quick melt of snow and allowing for artificial snowmaking if necessary.

A warmer weather pattern is forecast to arrive across New Zealand during the final 10 days of this month and possibly persist into early August.

ENDS

© Scoop Media