Late July and early August 2020 have been characterised by unseasonably warm conditions across the South Island of New Zealand, driven in part by persistent northerly flow over originating in the Tasman Sea. This has triggered considerable mid-winter melt that has impacted ski areas throughout the Southern Alps. While not great news for skiers, these conditions highlight the variable nature of our seasonal snow in New Zealand. Prior to this event, snow covered area was tracking close to the 2000 - 2019 average. The good news is that a return to cooler, snowier conditions is on the horizon. Todd Redpath spoke to the Otago Daily Times as they covered current conditions at the Otago ski areas, you can read the article here
Photo: snowier conditions than present in the Wakatipu Basin, Skyline Gondola at left.
