Shot of Fiordland taken during Earth Sciences New Zealand's end of year snowline survey. Photo: Gregor Macara / Earth Sciences New Zealand
This year's winter was, for many regions, an "abysmal" season for snowfall, scientists say, with near-record lows recorded across much of the South Island.
Many ski fields had to close due to a lack of snow, which impacted not just the tourist industry but also water levels in lakes that feed hydroelectric power stations.
"Our high elevation weather stations tell us it's been a mixed bag for our alpine regions," Dr Jono Conway, hydrological forecasting scientist at Earth Sciences NZ (formerly NIWA), said.
"Some places saw near-average snowfall but what stands out is the number of low or record low total snowfall readings."
Around half of water that goes into hydroelectric lakes in winter comes from snowmelt, he said, and it also contributes to irrigation in spring and early summer.
"Mountains in the north of the South Island have been particularly bare of snow this season. The Mahanga Range site in Tasman saw less than half its average winter snowfall, as did mid- to lower-elevation sites throughout the South Island. Crawford Knob and Murchison Mountains had their lowest winter snowfall totals on record, with 1.92m and 0.46m respectively.
"At only 0.19m deep, as recorded on 1st September, the snow at Mahanga was at a third of the average depth for that date and the second lowest on record. Mt Larkins near Queenstown and Mueller Hut above Mt Cook Village recorded moderately low snowfall with 71 and 85 percent of average winter totals, respectively."
Snow in Tekapo on 9 August, 2025. Photo: Supplied
The only place that recorded more snow that usual was Upper Rakaia in inland mid-Canterbury, thanks to a massive snowfall in June and regular amounts through the rest of winter.
Other places that fell just short of average only did so because of a large dump at the end of August.
"The lack of snow was due to predominately settled, dry conditions through much of July and August," Conway said.
"Early-season storms in the northern half of the island also brought heavy rain rather than snow. This was especially felt in Nelson-Tasman, where damaging floods devastated the region back in June and July."
Earth Sciences NZ will release its winter and August climate summaries this Friday.
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