With an elevated freezing level and light winds, watch for the Loose Wet hazard to increase in the middle of the day, especially on sunny aspects.
With a fine day and an elevated freezing level, the snow surface will soften quickly and become incohesive. Be aware of steep slopes becoming wet and slushy during the day on all aspects. This problem will be widespread at lower elevations but mainly confined to solar aspects at upper elevations. Rollerballing is the first sign of the surface loosing cohesion.
Previous Northwesterly 1/2 winds will have redistributed any snow available to Southern aspects These slabs will have settled out and could be difficult to trigger however be cautious if seeking steep terrain on these aspects above 1800m.
Small Wind Slab observed in Crystal Valley 11/08
Several Loose Wet avalanches reported in Little Alaska, Mt Olympus 13/08
Friday: Areas of morning low cloud and frosts, otherwise fine. Light winds. Freezing level 2000m.
Saturday: Showers developing in the morning. Snow lowering to 600m in the afternoon and evening. Southerly winds developing in the morning. Freezing level 1800m lowering to 900m in the afternoon.
Wind stripped areas and exposed ridges will be very firm.
Ice axe and Crampons are recommended if venturing out.
Moderate
Snow coverage across the forecast area is super variable. Up to 150cm in some areas down to rime covered rocks. Tests above 1700m show a thick rain crust is found closer to the ground (30-60cm down) on most aspects with a thin layer of sugary crystals (Facets) observed both above and below. Around 15cm of new snow in the past week has fallen above 1500m with rain or drizzle falling below this elevation. Warm temperatures have settled the upper snowpack somewhat almost creating a spring like snowpack.
New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)
