Watching for a Negative SAM: A Possible Twist in the Snow Season

Early signs of a negative SAM could shake up winter patterns, bringing a mix of cold snaps and warmer bursts — though the outlook remains uncertain.

Thanks to strong Tasman ridging, the next 4–5 days are set to deliver classic mid-season conditions. While onshore easterlies will feed moisture and showers into the east coast, the mountains will see favourable in-and-outbound windows that make the most of a near-peak snowbase this week.