School holiday weather September 2026

The story so far

NZTA advised caution for travellers in the central South Island because of heavy snow on highways.^{27 Sep}

Latest

On 1 October another weather front was forecast to move north from the South Island, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to much of the country over the school holiday weekend.^{1 Oct} The unsettled conditions were expected to begin in the south on Friday.^{1 Oct}

What's next

The front is forecast to reach Auckland and Northland by Sunday.^{1 Oct}

Key moments

1. 25 SepMetService warns of cold fronts bringing rain, wind and snow at start of school holidays
2. 27 SepSpring front brings heavy rain, snow and gales; NZTA urges caution in central South Island
3. 1 OctNew front forecast to move north over the school holiday weekend

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