TL;DR
New Zealand's ski resorts are preparing for a significant early-season snowfall, with forecasts predicting up to 4 feet of snow across the Southern Alps this week.
New Zealand Ski Resorts Prepare for Substantial Early-Season Snowfall
New Zealand's ski resorts are gearing up for a significant early-season snowfall event. Weather forecasts indicate that up to 4 feet of snow could blanket the Southern Alps this week, providing a solid foundation for the upcoming ski season. This snowfall is particularly timely as many resorts plan to open their lifts later this month.
The snow is expected to arrive in two distinct waves. The first system will bring dense, wet snow that will help create a stable base layer. Following this, a colder system will deliver lighter, drier snow, ideal for creating optimal skiing conditions.
The initial snowfall is predicted to begin on Wednesday night, with snow levels around 3,500 feet. This ensures that the majority of ski resort base areas will receive snow. Resorts such as Mt Hutt, Porters, and in the Canterbury region are expected to receive 8 to 12 inches of snow with this first system.The second wave of snow is forecast to arrive late Thursday night and continue through Monday. This system will bring colder temperatures, lowering snow levels to as low as 700 feet by Saturday. The Canterbury region is again expected to benefit the most, with an additional 14 to 30 inches of lighter powder snow possible. By Monday, many resorts in this area could have a base depth exceeding 30 inches.
