Labour Weekend 2025 severe weather

The story so far

Ruapehu's Emergency Operations Centre went on alert for the Labour Weekend period because of forecasts of unsettled weather and strong westerlies, and police and NZTA issued safety and traffic warnings to motorists.^{24 Oct 2025} An active low pressure system was then expected to bring heavy rain, strong winds and snow over Labour Day, and MetService issued several orange-level warnings, with heavy rain likely in western regions and snow forecast for the Canterbury High Country.^{26 Oct 2025} A wintry cold snap was forecast to bring heavy rain, snow and strong winds to the South Island, while the top half of the North Island faced risks of heavy rain and thunderstorms.^{27 Oct 2025} MetService issued severe weather warnings for the period from 26 to 29 October.^{27 Oct 2025}

Latest

The most recent forecast describes a wintry cold snap for the South Island and heavy rain and thunderstorm risks for the top half of the North Island.^{27 Oct 2025} MetService's severe weather warnings cover 26 to 29 October.^{27 Oct 2025}

What's next

MetService's severe weather warnings cover the period from 26 to 29 October.^{27 Oct 2025}

Key moments

1. 24 Oct 2025Ruapehu Civil Defence puts Emergency Operations Centre on alert for Labour Weekend
2. 26 Oct 2025MetService issues several orange-level warnings for a Labour Day low pressure system
3. 27 Oct 2025Wintry cold snap forecast for South Island; severe weather warnings issued for 26-29 October

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