Next 3 days weather summary:Mild with moderate rain (total 14.0mm) on Sun morning, Becoming colder with a light covering of snow, mostly falling on Sun morning. Freeze-thaw conditions (max 4°C on Sat night, min -2°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Fri afternoon, strong winds from the WNW by Sat night). | Days 4-6 weather summary:A dusting of new snow. Freeze-thaw conditions (max 5°C on Wed morning, min -4°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Mon afternoon, calm by Tue night). | ||||||||||||||||
Thu 24 | Friday 25 | Saturday 26 | Sunday 27 | Monday 28 | Tuesday 29 | ||||||||||||
PM | night | AM | PM | night | AM | PM | night | AM | PM | night | AM | PM | night | AM | PM | night | |
 |  | |  |  | |  |  | |  | | | |  | |  |  | |
some clouds | some clouds | some clouds | light snow | snow shwrs | light snow | light rain | light rain | light snow | snow shwrs | some clouds | snow shwrs | light snow | light snow | some clouds | clear | clear | |
km/h | |||||||||||||||||
Snow map |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||
 cm | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
max °C | 1 | -1 | 1 | 0 | -1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | -2 | -3 | -1 | -1 | -2 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
min °C | -1 | -2 | -1 | -1 | -1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | -3 | -4 | -3 | -2 | -2 | -1 | 3 | 2 |
chill °C | -6 | -6 | -4 | -4 | -4 | -4 | -1 | -5 | -5 | -7 | -11 | -10 | -8 | -8 | -5 | 0 | 1 |
Humid % | 48 | 74 | 77 | 96 | 82 | 75 | 97 | 79 | 99 | 93 | 72 | 82 | 80 | 91 | 80 | 67 | 76 |
Freeze m | 1700 | 1250 | 1550 | 1600 | 1400 | 1850 | 2250 | 3100 | 2500 | 1350 | 1000 | 1150 | 1450 | 1250 | 1400 | 2400 | 2300 |
 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — |
 | 6:25 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 7:29 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — |
SnowPro
Hourly & 16-day forecastsView past weatherFast, ad-free browsingSnow hindcasts & HistoryAvalanche information: New Zealand Avalanche Advisory
Latest snow reports near Rainbow:
| Top snow depth: | — |
|---|---|
| Bottom snow depth: | — |
| Fresh snowfall depth: | — |
| Last snowfall: | 22 Sep 2026 |
| Snow Alerts | Create Alert |
0.6 | Bluebird Powder days Fresh snow, mostly sunny, light wind. |
|---|---|
0.5 | Powder days Fresh snow, limited sun, any wind. |
0.3 | Bluebird days Average snow, mostly sunny, light wind. |
The above table gives the weather forecast for Rainbow at the specific elevation of 1650 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
One of New Zealand’s best Ski areas with terrain to cater to any ones ability. Rainbow has that real club laid back feel with staff and skiers/snowboarders alike having such a friendly accommodating attitude which is truly infectious. Rainbow hosts several events with the highlight for me being the Atomic Rainbow Masters held every year late August. This event consist of two events GS then SL, with the incredible unselfish organization being completed by the St Arnaud Ski Racing Foundation which makes my annual trip to Rainbow and the Rainbow Masters unmissable.
Curly Todd from New Zealand writes:
One of New Zealand’s best Ski areas with terrain to cater to any ones ability. Rainbow has that real club laid back feel with staff and skiers/snowboarders alike having such a friendly accommodating attitude which is truly infectious. Rainbow hosts several events with the highlight for me being the Atomic Rainbow Masters held every year late August. This event consist of two events GS then SL, with the incredible unselfish organization being completed by the St Arnaud Ski Racing Foundation which makes my annual trip to Rainbow and the Rainbow Masters unmissable.
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