Crown Range Summit on 1 July, captured by MetService. Photo: Screenshot / MetService
A wintry blast is expected to bring snow to many parts of the country this Saturday and warnings are in place.
A road snow warning was in place for Desert Road until 11am Saturday, with MetService saying another period of snow was likely overnight Saturday and another warning could be issued closer to the time.
An orange snow warning was issued from 4pm Saturday until 9am Monday for Otago for areas south of the line from Queenstown to Alexandra and Mosgiel, as well as Southland and Stewart Island. The heaviest snow was expected from Saturday evening through to Sunday evening and 20cm to 35cm of snow was expected above about 300m.
And the Dunedin to Waitati Highway (SH1) could see 3cm to 6cm on the road from 6pm Saturday to 11am Sunday.
Where is snow expected this weekend? This is output from one of our high resolution models showing snow accumulation up to Monday. Note the significant accumulations in the south. Heavy Snow Warnings are in effect, as well as Road Snow Warnings. https://t.co/qHyE5zzql5 pic.twitter.com/yhZswUYimv
— MetService (@MetService) June 30, 2023
Snow was expected to settle on the road on the Lewis Pass (up to 7cm), Arthur's Pass (up to 5cm above 600m) and Haast Pass (up to 4cm above 400m), during Saturday.
Fiordland was also under an orange snow warning, with 30 to 40 cm of snow expected above 300m from midday Saturday to 4am Monday, for some areas and lesser amounts down to sea level.
Crown Range Summit is looking absolutely stunning this morning with a fresh dusting of snow! Be safe if travelling over the weekend, there's lots of warnings out, check https://t.co/qHyE5zzql5 for details pic.twitter.com/fFqChzQLF6
— MetService (@MetService) June 30, 2023
Ski season opens on Mt Ruapehu
Mt Ruapehu planned to open its winter ski season on Saturday, despite uncertainty about its future.
However, it would be mostly sightseeing on the lifts because there was not enough snow yet to allow for skiing and snowboarding.
A $5 million government loan to the liquidators of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts this week saved the season for the Tūroa and Whakapapa skifields, but negotiations about who will take them over continue.
Ruapehu Alpine Lifts said there was new snow on the mountain and things were looking promising for the opening weekend - also the start of the school holidays.
This pic was sent in by one of our meteorologist's parents, From St Arnaud, showing a dusting of snow about Mount Robert. Thanks for sending it in! pic.twitter.com/3t6r4uyGNX
— MetService (@MetService) June 30, 2023
Strong wind warning for Hawke's Bay and Tararua District
An orange strong wind warning was also issued by MetService for Hawke's Bay and the Tararua District for the period from 8pm Saturday through to 8am on Sunday. Winds there could gust up to 120km an hour.
