Next 3 days weather summary:Light rain (total 8.0mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Freeze-thaw conditions (max 3°C on Wed morning, min -1°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Wed morning, fresh winds from the WNW by Wed night). | Days 4-6 weather summary:Mostly dry. Freeze-thaw conditions (max 2°C on Sat morning, min -3°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | |||||||||||||
AM | PM | night | AM | PM | night | AM | PM | night | AM | PM | night | AM | PM | night | AM | PM | night | |
 |  |  |  | |  |  | | | | |  | | | | | |  | |
cloudy | light rain | mod. rain | some clouds | some clouds | some clouds | clear | clear | some clouds | some clouds | clear | cloudy | some clouds | some clouds | cloudy | some clouds | cloudy | clear | |
km/h | ||||||||||||||||||
Snow map |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||
 cm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
mm | — | 2 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
max °C | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1 | -1 | 0 | -2 |
min °C | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -1 | 1 | 0 | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 | -3 |
chill °C | -2 | -3 | -4 | -5 | -4 | -5 | -3 | -4 | -6 | -6 | -6 | -4 | -1 | -3 | -1 | -1 | -3 | -6 |
Humid % | 91 | 94 | 97 | 86 | 92 | 55 | 48 | 67 | 45 | 59 | 74 | 91 | 77 | 79 | 85 | 93 | 81 | 85 |
Freeze m | 2000 | 2050 | 2050 | 1750 | 2050 | 2200 | 2550 | 2500 | 2950 | 2700 | 2050 | 1500 | 1600 | 1650 | 1500 | 1400 | 1550 | 1350 |
 | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — |
 | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — |
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Avalanche information: New Zealand Avalanche Advisory
Latest snow reports near Rainbow:
Recent moderate rain reported from St Arnaud at 629 metres elevation 8 kms N of Rainbow but it is forecast cold enough for snow at higher elevations in the ski area from Rainbow
Recent light rain reported from St Arnaud at 629 metres elevation 8 kms N of Rainbow but it is forecast cold enough for snow at higher elevations in the ski area from Rainbow
| Top snow depth: | — |
|---|---|
| Bottom snow depth: | — |
| Fresh snowfall depth: | — |
| Last snowfall: | 13 Jul 2026 |
| Snow Alerts | Create Alert |
0.2 | Bluebird Powder days Fresh snow, mostly sunny, light wind. |
|---|---|
0.7 | Powder days Fresh snow, limited sun, any wind. |
0.8 | Bluebird days Average snow, mostly sunny, light wind. |
The above table gives the weather forecast for Rainbow at the specific elevation of 1540 m. Our sophisticated weather models allow us to provide snow forecasts for the top, middle and bottom ski stations of Rainbow. To access the weather forecasts for the other elevations, use the tab navigation above the table. For a wider view of the weather, check out the Weather Map of New Zealand.
Click here to read further information on freezing levels and how we forecast our temperatures.
Overall 3.5 Based on 10 votes and 4 reviews
NZ's best kept secret. If you like to get away from the groomers and are prepared to go on short walks, Rainbow will be very good to you. Requirements to enjoy Rainbow: if you're a snowboarder, have an old board with you, if the rocks are showing you can still get freshies all day. Skiers, to have as much fun as the boarders you will need to be comfy with powder and same advice re your skis, skins would be a big advantage to take you up the big hill - 6:1. Never an unhappy face in Rainbow and the road's good. Chains are essential most of the time even if you have a "Big horn".
Sam Mc Eachern from New Zealand writes:
NZ's best kept secret. If you like to get away from the groomers and are prepared to go on short walks, Rainbow will be very good to you. Requirements to enjoy Rainbow: if you're a snowboarder, have an old board with you, if the rocks are showing you can still get freshies all day. Skiers, to have as much fun as the boarders you will need to be comfy with powder and same advice re your skis, skins would be a big advantage to take you up the big hill - 6:1. Never an unhappy face in Rainbow and the road's good. Chains are essential most of the time even if you have a "Big horn".
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