Brief Mountain Forecast for all New Zealand

North Island

Valid for Wednesday, 07-Jan

Raukumara to Kaweka ranges: Partly cloudy with isolated showers, mainly this afternoon and evening, some heavy, with possible thunderstorms and hail. Remaining North Island mountain areas: Fine and cloudy periods. Isolated afternoon and evening showers about Tongariro National Park. WINDS: Westerlies, strong about the Tararua Range this morning.

Freezing Level: Above 3000 metres.

Valid for Thursday, 08-Jan

Raukumara to Kaweka ranges: Partly cloudy with isolated showers, some heavy, with possible thunderstorms and hail this afternoon and evening, then again about Raukumara Forest Park from tomorrow afternoon. Remaining North Island mountain areas: Mainly fine, Isolated showers tomorrow afternoon. WINDS: Westerlies, strong about the Tararua Range.

Freezing Level: Above 3000 metres.

Valid for Friday, 09-Jan

Isolated showers in the south and west, mainly fine elsewhere. WINDS:Gale southwesterlies.

Freezing Level: Above 3500 metres.

Valid for Saturday, 10-Jan

Isolated showers in the south and west, mainly fine elsewhere. WINDS:Gale southwesterlies, rising to severe gale south of the Ruahines.

Freezing Level: Above 3500 metres.

Valid for Sunday, 11-Jan

A few showers in the south and west, turning to rain in the south late. WINDS:Westerlies rising to severe gale everywhere.

Freezing Level: Above 3500 metres.

Issued: 2:27pm Wednesday 7 Jan 2026

South Island

Valid for Wednesday, 07-Jan

Kaikoura ranges : Mainly fine, but the odd shower this afternoon and evening. Kahurangi National Park to the Southern Alps: Cloud increasing, with isolated showers from afternoon. Mount Aspiring and Fiordland : Rain in Fiordland, possibly heavy, easing to showers this evening. Showers increasing for Mt Aspiring. WINDS: West or northwest winds, gale at times about Fiordland.

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

Valid for Thursday, 08-Jan

Mount Aspiring and Fiordland : A few showers, turning to rain with heavy falls by tomorrow afternoon, and possible thunderstorms from tomorrow evening. Kahurangi National Park to the Southern Alps: Cloud increasing, with isolated showers developing this afternoon, clearing by tomorrow morning. Showers returning about and south of Arthur's Pass by tomorrow afternoon, when some may be heavy. Kaikoura ranges and Mt Richmond: Mainly fine, but the odd shower this afternoon and evening about the Kaikoura ranges. WINDS: Westerlies or northwesterlies, strong to gale in exposed places, rising to severe gale south of Arthur's Pass from tomorrow afternoon.

Freezing Level: Above 3000 metres.

Valid for Friday, 09-Jan

Rain in the west, with some heavy falls, easing to a few showers later. Scattered showers elsewhere, clearing later. WINDS:Gale westerlies, severe gale south of Arthur's Pass, easing in Fiordland.

Freezing Level: About 2900 metres in the south, but rising above 3500 metres in the north.

Valid for Saturday, 10-Jan

Periods of rain in the west, possibly heavy south of Arthur's Pass. Scattered showers elsewhere. WINDS:Westerlies, gale or severe gale north of Mt Aspiring, rising to severe gale in Fiordland later.

Freezing Level: Above 3500 metres in the north, sloping to 2800 metres in fiordland. rising to 3400 metres in fiordland.

Valid for Sunday, 11-Jan

Periods of rain, possibly heavy in the west and about the headwaters. Snow to 2000 metres in the Alps, and 1100 metres in Fiordland later. WINDS:Severe gale westerlies.

Freezing Level: Above 3400 metres, lowering to 1400 metres in fiordland.

Issued: 2:27pm Wednesday 7 Jan 2026