24/08/2026
🔴 MEDIA RELEASE Issued 6:05am Tuesday - Canterbury Weather Updates
⚠️MAJOR SNOW EVENT POSSIBLE - PREPARE FOR DISRUPTIONS IN THE MACKENZIE COUNTRY.
Our weather becomes increasingly complex and dynamic from late Wednesday through Thursday, with widespread heavy rain and a significant heavy snow event expected across southern and central parts of Canterbury.
A rare warm-advection snow setup will develop as moist, milder air arriving from the north overrides much colder air trapped near the surface. Where these air masses interact, precipitation may become heavy and prolonged - allowing snow to fall to unusually low elevations and accumulate rapidly, with high intensity and tempo snowfall.
These types of atmospheric dynamics have been associated with most of Canterbury’s most significant snow events.
The greatest impacts are currently expected across the Mackenzie Country and inland areas south of around Porters Pass above 500-600m.
📍Current guidance indicates:
• Mt Cook Village and surrounding elevated areas: snowfall accumulations may exceed 100cm on current data.
• Burkes Pass and Lindis Pass: totals may exceed 60cm, with major impacts to alpine travel. Based on current data, still subject to change
• Lake Tekapo: significant accumulations are expected, possibly 50cm+
• Twizel and Omarama: periods of heavy snowfall are currently forecast, with potentially substantial accumulations. These areas are currently considered high risk currently.
⚠️Major travel disruption, extremely difficult driving conditions and road closures should be anticipated across affected areas.
🔎❄️Further north, snowfall will generally be less intense, but this remains a 'fluid' situation. Canterbury Weather Updates Heavy Snow Watches remain in place north of Porters Pass. Our watch may be upgraded to full warnings today as confidence increases.
⚠️CWU Heavy Snow Warnings and Alpine Road Snowfall Warnings are already in place for Wednesday and Thursday, containing detailed information on expected accumulations, timing and affected areas.
For parts of Canterbury, particularly the Mackenzie Country and South Canterbury, this is shaping up as a major winter weather event, with significant disruption expected.
The exact positioning of the heaviest precipitation and lowest snow levels remains highly sensitive to the interaction between the competing air masses. Even relatively small changes in this setup could materially alter snowfall totals and the areas most severely affected.
If you are travelling through the Mackenzie Country, Canterbury High Country or alpine passes on Wednesday or Thursday, plan ahead now. Consider whether your journey is necessary, prepare for rapidly deteriorating conditions and remain up to date with the latest forecasts, watches, warnings and road information.
📲 24/7 coverage and all the latest rainfall totals and snowfall accumulations via our 10 day forecasts below.
ℹ️ Homepage: www.cwu.co.nz
📍 TODAY’S WEATHER – MAIN CENTRES
➡️ Christchurch
https://cwu.co.nz/forecast/christchurch/
➡️ Rangiora
https://cwu.co.nz/forecast/rangiora/
➡️ Rolleston
https://cwu.co.nz/forecast/rolleston/
➡️ Ashburton
https://cwu.co.nz/forecast/ashburton/
➡️ Timaru
https://cwu.co.nz/forecast/timaru/
BANKS PENINSULA
➡️ Port Hills (Sugarloaf – 494m)
https://cwu.co.nz/forecast/port-hills-sugarloaf-494m/
➡️ Akaroa
https://cwu.co.nz/forecast/akaroa/
➡️ Lyttelton (forecast & webcams)
https://cwu.co.nz/forecast/lyttelton/
CANTERBURY HIGH COUNTRY
➡️ Castle Hill Village (forecast, data & webcams)
https://cwu.co.nz/forecast/castle-hill
➡️ Arthur’s Pass Village
https://cwu.co.nz/forecast/arthurs-pass-village/
RURAL & PROVINCIAL TOWNS
➡️ Waipara
https://cwu.co.nz/forecast/waipara/
➡️ Amberley
https://cwu.co.nz/forecast/amberley/
➡️ Pegasus
https://cwu.co.nz/forecast/pegasus/
➡️ Kaiapoi
https://cwu.co.nz/forecast/kaiapoi/
➡️ Cheviot
https://cwu.co.nz/forecast/cheviot/
➡️ Culverden
https://cwu.co.nz/forecast/culverden/
➡️ Hanmer Springs
https://cwu.co.nz/forecast/hanmer-springs/
➡️ Springfield (390m)
https://cwu.co.nz/forecast/springfield-390m/
➡️ Oxford
https://cwu.co.nz/forecast/oxford/
➡️ Darfield
https://cwu.co.nz/forecast/darfield/
➡️ West Melton
https://cwu.co.nz/forecast/west-melton/
➡️ Kaikōura
https://cwu.co.nz/forecast/kaikoura/
➡️ Methven
https://cwu.co.nz/forecast/methven/
➡️ Mt Somers
https://cwu.co.nz/forecast/mt-somers/
➡️ Geraldine
https://cwu.co.nz/forecast/geraldine/
➡️ Temuka
https://cwu.co.nz/forecast/temuka/
➡️ Mt Lyford Village
https://cwu.co.nz/forecast/mt-lyford-village-600m/
➡️ Lincoln
https://cwu.co.nz/forecast/lincoln/
➡️ Leeston
https://cwu.co.nz/forecast/leeston/
➡️ Waimate
https://cwu.co.nz/forecast/waimate/
MACKENZIE COUNTRY
➡️ Fairlie
https://cwu.co.nz/forecast/fairlie/
➡️ Mt Cook Village
https://cwu.co.nz/forecast/mt-cook-village/
➡️ Lake Tekapo
https://cwu.co.nz/forecast/lake-tekapo/
➡️ Twizel
https://cwu.co.nz/forecast/twizel/
➡️ Omarama
https://cwu.co.nz/forecast/omarama/
© NZ Regional Weather Updates
