Gales and snow, late August 2026

The story so far

Severe gales were forecast for the Tararua District and Hawke's Bay south of Hastings from Sunday evening, with gusts of up to 120km/h.^{30, 31 Aug} Snow was expected on several South Island alpine roads and at unusually low levels in Otago and Southland, as low as 200 metres, and southern routes were under road snow warnings.^{30, 31 Aug} Heavy snow closed State Highway 87 from Outram to Middlemarch, with NZTA saying it would stay shut overnight.^{31 Aug} State Highway 1 between Dunedin and Waitati reopened before 2pm, while snow also fell on Dunedin streets and closed Brockville School.^{31 Aug}

Latest

Most regions expect clearer skies, though light showers may continue in parts of both islands, and heavy snow had earlier closed State Highway 7 temporarily overnight.^{1 Sep}

Key moments

1. 30 AugSevere gales and low-level snow forecast as a strong westerly system arrives.
2. 31 AugForecasts warn of snow down to 200 metres and gusts reaching 120km/h.
3. 31 AugHeavy snow closes State Highway 87 between Outram and Middlemarch overnight.
4. 31 AugSnow falls on Dunedin streets and Brockville School closes.
5. 1 SepSevere weather watches and warnings expire, bringing milder conditions.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.