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New Zealand Weather

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The NZ Weather with Heather
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A freezing plunge ahead!
23/07/2026
Covering period of Thursday 23rd - Sunday 26th July
Wet and windy
Heavy Rain Watches for the ranges of Westland and the Tararua Range 
Lowering temperatures and fresh snow likely for the ski fields  
Road Snowfall Warnings for Crown Range Road and Milford Road 
A largely settled day for the North Island but change is in the air with rain, strong northwesterly winds and thunderstorms already working their way up the South Island driven by a deep low in the Southern Ocean.  

Looking into Friday and Saturday, it’s turning increasingly soggy and blustery for everyone at some point, especially for the west coasters who are expected to see the heaviest rain. There are Heavy Rain Watches for the ranges of Westland and the Tararua Range. The unsettled weather may also disrupt outdoor activities and events, including school sports fixtures on Saturday. But it doesn’t end there, it’s turning bitterly cold.  

MetService meteorologist Ethan Walton-Jones says, “Winds tipping southwesterly through late Friday and Saturday will draw up a freezing blast from the Southern Ocean, sending temperatures plummeting.” 

Temperatures will be especially cold inland. Mount Cook is forecast to reach a low of -11°C on Saturday, while daytime highs are expected to remain between 5°C and 7°C in Twizel, Alexandra, Wānaka, Queenstown and Gore over the weekend. The central and southern parts of the South Island can expect severe frosts. Black ice is possible, where wet roads freeze overnight. 

“Snow is also on the cards for the ski fields for both islands, so a big win for them. Snow levels could get down to 300 metres early on Saturday for parts of the South Island. However, we are not expecting too much in terms of accumulations at low levels at this stage. Keep an eye on our warning page, we have Road Snowfall Warnings out for Crown Range and Milford Roads, with more likely.” advises Walton-Jones. 

MetService meteorologist Rochelle Fleming says, “With cold air spreading across the country we’ll also see snow levels lowering in the North Island too with snow possible for Desert Road.” 

Things are quietening down again through the second half of Saturday and turning frosty overnight for both islands. It’s not going to be settled for long for Auckland, who are in line for more rain on Sunday and chilly temperatures continuing into next week. 

SHORT FORECAST

Up Until Midnight Monday

Northland and Auckland
Showers, some heavy and possibly thundery this afternoon, easing and becoming isolated this evening, then fine spells increasing tomorrow.

Coromandel and Waikato
Mostly cloudy with scattered showers, clearing to fine tonight. Severe frosts about Waikato tomorrow morning.

Waitomo to Kapiti, also Bay of Plenty and the central high country
Isolated showers, clearing this afternoon and becoming fine. Severe frosts about the central high country tomorrow morning.

Gisborne to Wairarapa, also Wellington
Partly cloudy. Isolated showers, retreating to the coast this evening.

Nelson, and Buller to Westland
Mainly fine. Isolated showers about Buller tomorrow morning.

Marlborough, Canterbury, and Otago excluding Clutha
Fine, with severe frosts tomorrow morning.

Clutha, Southland and Fiordland
Cloudy periods and occasional showers, mainly about Fiordland and Stewart Island.

Chatham Islands
Showers and gale southwesterlies, both easing tomorrow.

Extended Forecast

Tuesday
North Island: Isolated showers about Northland and Gisborne. Mainly fine elsewhere. South Island: Cloudy periods along the West Coast, and showers about Fiordland and Stewart Island. Fine elsewhere.

Wednesday
North Island: Mainly fine. Occasional rain developing in the south. South Island: Showers in the west, turning to rain later, with heavy falls possible. Partly cloudy elsewhere, with a few spots of rain developing later.

Thursday
North Island: Partly cloudy, with isolated showers in the west. South Island: Rain in the west, possibly heavy. Scattered rain elsewhere.

Friday
North Island: A period of rain, possibly heavy, then fine spells and isolated showers. South Island: Showers, some possibly heavy, gradually easing.

Chatham Islands
A shower or two on Tuesday, then cloudy periods. Rain developing on Friday. Southerlies easing Tuesday, then dying out Wednesday. Northerlies developing on Thursday, becoming strong on Friday.

Severe Thunderstorm INFORMATION

No Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in force.

Severe Weather Warnings & Watches

No Severe Weather Warnings in force.

Road Snowfall Warnings

 

No Road Snowfall Warnings in force.

For more about Road Snowfall Warnings click here

hEAVY sWELL wARNINGS

No Heavy Swell Warning in force for the Wellington, Wairarapa, Kapiti and Porirua coasts.

Swell warnings are issued directly to regional authorities for other selected coasts but are not currently published here.

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