Winter Weather 2026

The story so far

A weather front at the end of July brought heavy rain, strong winds and snow to the South Island and Wellington, followed by a southerly blast that closed two Central Otago highways and cancelled flights into Queenstown.^{30, 31 Jul; 1 Aug} In early August an Antarctic blast brought snow to low levels in the eastern South Island, closing state highways and schools, causing crashes in Dunedin and cancelling Cook Strait ferry sailings.^{3, 4 Aug} Frosts then spread nationwide, with Christchurch having its coldest night in five years, Mount Cook airport recording -10C, and Auckland having its coldest conditions since 2021.^{5, 6 Aug} Record lows were set in Taumarunui (-7.2C) and Rotorua (-5.6C), and electricity demand hit a record 7415MW, although Transpower said power stayed on.^{6, 7 Aug} Wintry outbreaks continued through August and September, including a Desert Road closure, a grid fault and storms that cut power, and a slow-moving low that closed highways and led to about 45 people being evacuated in Queenstown.^{17, 23, 27, 28 Aug}

Latest

A weather front was forecast to move north from the South Island over the school holiday weekend, bringing heavy rain and strong winds, reaching Auckland and Northland by Sunday.^{1 Oct} Earlier, a fast-moving spring front had brought heavy rain, snow and strong winds at the start of the school holidays, with NZTA urging caution in the central South Island.^{27 Sep}

What's next

The unsettled conditions are forecast to start in the south on Friday and reach Auckland and Northland by Sunday.^{1 Oct}

Key moments

1. 4 AugAntarctic blast closes highways and schools, with crashes in Dunedin and ferries cancelled.
2. 5 AugChristchurch has its coldest night in five years; Mount Cook and Twizel hit -9C.
3. 6 AugElectricity demand sets a record of 7415MW during the cold snap.
4. 7 AugTaumarunui and Rotorua set record low temperatures.
5. 23 AugA grid fault and severe storms leave thousands without power.
6. 28 AugAbout 45 people evacuated in Queenstown after heavy rain and slips.
7. 31 AugHeavy snow closes State Highway 87 and Brockville School in Otago.
8. 27 SepSpring front brings snow and gales at the start of the school holidays.

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