Rainbow Snow Report and Forecast
Snow Forecast for Rainbow
When will there be fresh snow?
This is the Snow Forecast for Rainbow, New Zealand for 16 days from 26 April.
Updated 26 April 2025 14:35 AEST.
| Next Snow Expected | 30 April |
|---|---|
| Next Snow Amount | 2cm |
| Next 48 Hours | - |
| Next 7 Days | 4cm |
| Free Snow Reports by e-Mail | Sign Up for Powder Alerts |
For Forecast detail, see below.
For current snow depths and skiing conditions, see our Current Snow Report for Rainbow.
Forecast for today in Rainbow
Max 12℃
Min 6℃
Valley temperatures from an overnight low of 6℃ to daytime highs around 12℃
Temperature at BaseTemp at Base
Sat
26
Snow unlikely
Clear sky, fair, clear spells later.
Rainbow has no new snow forecast in the next 48 hours.
Rainbow Snow Report
Snow report from Tukino (near Rainbow)
| Snow Conditions | - |
|---|
Rainbow 7-Day Snow Forecast Overview
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| Sat 26 | Sun 27 | Mon 28 | Tue 29 | Wed 30 | Thu 01 | Fri 02 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wind | SE F3 | SE F3 | |||||
| 1,800m | 7℃
| 8℃
 | 9℃
 | 9℃
| 5℃
 +3cm
| 2℃
| 5℃
|
| SE F3 | SE F3 | ||||||
| 1,619m | 9℃
| 9℃
| 10℃
| 10℃
| 6℃
+2cm
| 3℃
| 6℃
|
| NW F2 | NW F2 | S F2 | S F2 | ||||
| 1,437m | 12℃
| 12℃
| 13℃
| 13℃
| 7℃
+5cm
| 4℃
+1cm
| 9℃
|
| Snow Line | varying 1,449m | 1,437m | |||||
| Max Town | 12℃ | 12℃ | 13℃ | 13℃ | 7℃ | 4℃ | 9℃ |
| Min Town | 6℃ | 7℃ | 7℃ | 7℃ | 0℃ | 0℃ | 3℃ |
This table shows the average forecast snowfall, the maximum temperature, and expected general weather at resort, lower and upper mountain levels. For daily forecast details, see below.
Rainbow Medium-Range (7-Day) Snow Forecast Detail
Note :- Mountain weather is extremely dynamic; the forecast below will change. Any forecast snow may move forward or back in the forecast, and predicted snowfall depths will be revised in subsequent updates.
Max 12℃
Min 6℃
Valley temperatures from an overnight low of 6℃ to daytime highs around 12℃
Temperature at BaseTemp at Base
Sat
26
Snow unlikely
Clear sky, fair, clear spells later.
Max 12℃
Min 7℃
Valley temperatures from an overnight low of 7℃ to daytime highs around 12℃
Temperature at BaseTemp at Base
Sun
27
Snow unlikely
Clear spells, fair, clear spells later.
Max 13℃
Min 7℃
Valley temperatures from an overnight low of 7℃ to daytime highs around 13℃
Temperature at BaseTemp at Base
Mon
28
Snow unlikely
Clear spells first, rain showers then fog, light rain later.
Max 13℃
Min 7℃
Valley temperatures from an overnight low of 7℃ to daytime highs around 13℃
Temperature at BaseTemp at Base
Tue
29
Snow unlikely
Cloudy early, then light rain later.
Max 7℃
Min 0℃
Valley temperatures from an overnight low of 0℃ to daytime highs around 7℃
Freeze-thaw conditions up high.
Temperature at BaseTemp at Base
Snowfall per hour
Snow Line
Wed
30
3cm to 5cm New Snow
Light rain early, then light snow later.
Snow Line from 1,449m to resort level.
Max 4℃
Min 0℃
Valley temperatures from an overnight low of 0℃ to daytime highs around 4℃
Freeze-thaw from mid-mountain up.
Temperature at BaseTemp at Base
Snowfall per hour
Snow Line
Thu
01
up to 1cm New Snow
Cloudy.
Snow falling to resort level.
Max 9℃
Min 3℃
Valley temperatures from an overnight low of 3℃ to daytime highs around 9℃
Temperature at BaseTemp at Base
Fri
02
Snow unlikely
Clear sky, cloudy, fair later.
This Snow Forecast for Rainbow, New Zealand gives the predicted Snowfall and Freezing Levels for the next week.
The forecast snowfall depths given are the likely average accumulations for the Lower and Upper slopes. The actual snow depth in Rainbow, on any given piste or itinerary, may be dramatically different, particularly if the snowfall is accompanied by high winds and/or varying air temperatures.
Snow Forecasts beyond two days ahead are subject to significant change and variable reliability.
Rainbow Snow Forecast updated at 14:35 AEST, next update expected imminently.
Understanding and predicting Snow Conditions in Rainbow
Here are our tips for making the most of a trip to Rainbow, with the help of the J2Ski Snow forecasts and reports. You can find some great skiing in Rainbow, but like any mountain, snow conditions change throughout the season, from day to day, and even from hour to hour.
Whether you’re sticking to the marked pistes or venturing off-piste, here’s what you need to know:
Pistes (Groomers) or Off-Piste
These can be a world apart, regarding snow conditions, even ignoring the difference between the natural terrain features to be found off-piste and the generally controlled surfaces and slopes of a pisted (groomed) run.
- Piste Conditions can range from fresh powder to firm, icy surfaces, particularly after warm spells or a busy day on the mountain with the passage of many skiers.
- Off-Piste Conditions are far more variable. Wind and sun can quickly transform fresh snow into wind crust or slushy layers, whilst cold weather can preserve stashes of powder many days after a snowfall.
WARNING - skiing off-piste (out-of-bounds) at Rainbow is uncontrolled and un-marked slopes are not made safe (from avalanche risk) or patrolled. Always check local advice, know the Avalanche Risk Level, ski with safety kit (and know how to use it), and never ski alone.
Analyzing Weather and Snowfall Forecasts
Whilst no forecast can tell you exactly how snow conditions in Rainbow will develop, checking the forecast regularly should give you an idea of what to expect.
New snowfall can bring fresh powder and refresh the surfaces of pisted runs. Powder can be tracked out quickly at busy times, but in less crowded and shaded areas, fresh snow can linger for days.
Changes in weather conditions, such as milder temperatures, rain or wind, can degrade snow quality. Conversely, cold, stable weather can preserve conditions for extended periods.
Predicting Future Snow Quality
Regularly check our snow and weather forecasts for Rainbow for changes that may affect snow quality. Forecast snowfall depth and recent snowfall are good indicators of what to expect.
Use historical data and recent snow reports to understand past snow conditions and anticipate future changes.