Winter Nor'Wester Brewing, Rakaia Gorge

Bad weather is on the way to inland parts of Canterbury, apparently, and as I passed through the Rakaia Gorge today the Nor'West cloud was starting to form, ready for the cold front to push through behind it.

This view is about halfway down from Windwhistle, looking out towards Mount Hutt. As I went past last night - via Thompson's Track that time, rather than the inland route - I could see the lights on the mountain, sign that the snowmakers were out in force.

If the forecast comes right, I don't think the guys up on Hutt will be needing to make any artificial snow...