Brief Mountain Forecast for all New Zealand

North Island

Valid for Saturday, 10-Jan

Raukumara to Whirinaki Forest Parks: Fine. Remaining North Island mountain areas: Areas of cloud and patchy drizzle, mainly morning and evening, but some longer fine breaks during the afternoon. WINDS: Strong to gale west to southwest winds, with severe gales possible south of Taupo.

Freezing Level: Above 3000 metres.

Valid for Sunday, 11-Jan

Raukumara to Ruahine Forest Park: Fine and hot. Elsewhere:: Cloudy periods with drizzle, turning to showers Sunday afternoon or evening. WINDS: Westerlies rising to gale Saturday afternoon or evening, then to severe gale Sunday morning.

Freezing Level: Above 3000 metres.

Valid for Monday, 12-Jan

A period of rain spreading north, then cloudy periods and the odd shower. WINDS:Severe gale westerlies easing.

Freezing Level: Above 3000 metres.

Valid for Tuesday, 13-Jan

Partly cloudy. Showers developing about and north of Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki. WINDS:North or northwest winds, rising to gale in exposed places later.

Freezing Level: Above 3000 metres.

Valid for Wednesday, 14-Jan

Scattered rain. WINDS:Northwesterlies.

Freezing Level: Above 3000 metres.

Issued: 2:27pm Saturday 10 Jan 2026

South Island

Valid for Saturday, 10-Jan

Kaikoura ranges: Fine. Kahurangi, Nelson Lakes, and Paparoa National Parks: Mostly cloudy with a few showers. The Southern Alps and Fiordland : Rain, with some heavy falls, and possible thunderstorms in Fiordland from evening. WINDS: Gale west to northwest winds, severe in exposed places.

Freezing Level: 3500 metres in the north sloping to 3000 metres in the south.

Valid for Sunday, 11-Jan

Kaikoura Ranges: Fine, then rain developing tomorrow evening. Kahurangi National Park to Arthur's Pass National Park: Rain developing tonight, sometimes heavy with possible thunderstorms tomorrow. Arthur's Pass National Park to Fiordland National Park: Heavy rain, with thunderstorms developing tonight, easing from the south tomorrow morning and afternoon. WINDS: Gale to severe gale northwesterlies, easing to strong southwesterlies from the south tomorrow afternoon and evening.

Freezing Level: Above 3000 metres, falling to 2600 metres sloping to 1400 metres in the south tomorrow.

Valid for Monday, 12-Jan

Periods of rain about Fiordland and Mount Aspiring with snow to 1200 metres. Showers elsewhere. WINDS:Gale west or southwest winds gradually easing.

Freezing Level: 3000 metres in the north sloping to 1400 metres in fiordland, rising to 3500 metres everywhere later.

Valid for Tuesday, 13-Jan

Occasional rain in Fiordland. Partly cloudy elsewhere with isolated showers in the afternoon and evening. WINDS:West to northwest winds.

Freezing Level: 3500 metres, lowering to 2500 metres in fiordland.

Valid for Wednesday, 14-Jan

Occasional rain about Fiordland and Mt Aspiring. Partly cloudy with a few showers elsewhere. WINDS:Westerlies.

Freezing Level: 3200 metres in the north sloping to 2000 metres in the south.

Issued: 2:27pm Saturday 10 Jan 2026