Brief Mountain Forecast for all New Zealand
North Island
Valid for Tuesday, 22-May
Raukumara to Whirinaki Forest Parks: A few showers, mainly in the west. Showers becoming more frequent from afternoon. Remainder of mountain areas: Occasional showers, mainly in the north and west. Heavy rain developing this evening, with thunderstorms about Egmont National Park and Tararua ranges tonight. WINDS: Strong northwesterlies, rising to severe gales this afternoon.
Freezing Level: About 2400 metres in the north, sloping to 1800 metres in the south. gradually rising to 2400 metres everywhere.
Valid for Wednesday, 23-May
Scattered showers, some heavy, with possible thunderstorms in the north. Showers becoming widespread from late this evening, with squally thunderstorms and hail, easing late tomorrow. Snow lowering to 900 metres later tomorrow. WINDS: Gale northwesterlies, rising to severe gale this afternoon. Turning westerly and easing overnight or early tomorrow morning.
Freezing Level: About 2300 metres, lowering to about 1300 metres later tomorrow.
Valid for Thursday, 24-May
Showers becoming frequent and heavy, with thunderstorms possible about and south of the volcanoes. Light snow to 1000 metres at first. Gale westerlies, rising to severe gale from south in the afternoon and evening.
Freezing Level: 1300 metres rising to 2000 metres, lowering to 1600 metres in the south in the evening.
Valid for Friday, 25-May
Showers, possibly heavy about the volcanoes, clearing in the evening. Severe gale westerlies easing,turning lighter southerly later.
Freezing Level: Lowering to 1300 metres.
Valid for Saturday, 26-May
Partly cloudy, with a few showers about Mount Taranaki, spreading to the Kaweka Range in the evening. Strong southerlies,tending gale southwest later.
Freezing Level: Rising to 1600 metres.
Issued: 01:00pm Tuesday, 22-May-2018
South Island
Valid for Tuesday, 22-May
Kaikoura Ranges: Fine morning. Showers developing this afternoon, turning to rain in the evening with heavy at times, then clearing overnight. Kahurangi and Nelson Lakes National Park: Showers turning to rain this afternoon with heavy and possibly thundery falls, turning to showers tonight with possible hail. The Southern Alps: Rain, heavy from afternoon with possible thunderstorms and snow lowering to 800 metres. Turning to heavy snow showers this evening. Fiordland mountains: Heavy rain with possible thunderstorms, turning to heavy snow showers this afternoon. WINDS: Northwesterly severe gales. Changing lighter southwesterly this afternoon or evening.
Freezing Level: About 1600 metres in the north, sloping to 1000 metres in the south.
Valid for Wednesday, 23-May
Rain with heavy falls and thunderstorms with snow to 1100 metres, followed by snow showers this evening, some heavy with hail and possible thunderstorms,becoming isolated between Lake Wakatipu and Arthur s Pass tomorrow. WINDS: Severe northwesterly gales, turning lighter westerly this evening. Strong southwesterlies developing tomorrow, turning northerly about Fiordland in the evening.
Freezing Level: 1800 metres sloping to 1000 metres in the south. lowering to 1200 metres but 700 metres in the south tomorrow.
Valid for Thursday, 24-May
Rain in the west and south, heavy at times with thunderstorms possible. Dry about the Kaikoura ranges. Falling as snow down to 500 metres in the south and 700 metres elsewhere. Severe gale westerlies, easing to gale in the evening.
Freezing Level: 1000 metres but 800 metres in the south.
Valid for Friday, 25-May
Showers clearing in the afternoon in the west, but remaining in the south and east with snow level rising to 700 metres everywhere later. Southwesterlies, tenidng strong to gale southerly in exposed places.
Freezing Level: Rising to 1000 metres everywhere.
Valid for Saturday, 26-May
Showers developing about the divide and in the south but remaining dry in the Canterbury High Country. Southwesterlies rising to gale.
Freezing Level: Rising to 1200 metres north of fiordland.
Issued: 01:00pm Tuesday, 22-May-2018